How do you go about asking someone out for the first time?

I’ve known this person for a long time and I’ve recently noticed that she’s taken quite an interest in me. I’m quite good friends with one of her best friends and I thought maybe I could ask that person for tips on what I should say or do, I could also maybe get her friend to mention stuff seemingly randomly about me to her.

Would you recommend this method or should I go for a more direct approach?