28M update: 45F Nurse rescheduled our gym session for a "coworker." My friend says I’m screwed, but I’m planning a high-stakes move on Tuesday.?

(28M) have been flirting with a 45F nurse at my gym. We have a running joke about me doing the "heavy lifting" for her while she recovers from surgery.

​The Situation: I tried to lock in Monday at 10am. She rescheduled me, saying: "Hey one of my co workers wanted to come to the gym with me tomorrow, how about Tuesday?" I agreed to Tuesday 10am and she sent back: "Yes it does 😊"

​The Conflict: My friend is telling me I'm "screwed." He’s convinced the coworker is another male and that she’s choosing him over me for the Monday slot. He thinks I’m being "benched" while she plays the field.

​The Move: I want to start being upfront and not like wasting time. I'm not going to sit aroundwondering where I stand. My plan for Tuesday is to finish the workout, ask her to grab coffee immediately after, and then be 100% straight with her. ​I’m planning to tell her: "Look, you’re beautiful and I’m really into you. I’m not looking for a 'gym buddy' or to be in the friend zone." My friend says women her age respect that kind of directness and "leader" energy. If she’s down, I’m moving the conversation toward getting a hotel/private spot since she lives with her mom and sisters. If she’s not, at least I didn't waste another week being her "unpaid trainer."

​Reddit, I need your take: ​Is my friend right that the "coworker" is a red flag, or is her making Tuesday a 1-on-1 a green light? ​Is being that blunt ("I don't want to be in the friend zone") the right move for a 45-year-old woman, or is it too much too fast? ​How do I handle it if she says the coworker was a guy?