How to reply when she says she's been working late on a big presentation

She's not just making conversation. She's pressed for time right now and probably won't text much until this is done. That's useful to know. The mention also says she's ambitious or at least accountable to something real, and she's comfortable enough to share an honest moment instead of just asking where you're from.

Some people mention work stress as an excuse to manage expectations about response time. Others do it because they want you to know they have a life. Either way, the subtext is not "ignore me." It's "I'm here, but not fully available this second."

Your message needs to do two things at once. First, show you actually heard her. Don't ignore the presentation or pretend she just said "hey." Reference it directly. Second, keep the tone light enough that responding doesn't feel like a chore. She's already tired.

Don't ask ten questions about the project or ask when she's free. Don't write a novel. Send something short that proves you listened and makes it easy for her to shoot back a line or two between tasks. You're checking in, not starting an interview.

After you reply, don't send another message for at least a day or two. She said she's exhausted. She likely will be until the presentation is done. If she replies quickly, great, keep it brief. If she goes quiet, that's expected. This is not ghosting on her part.

Once the deadline passes, she'll have mental space. That's when you can actually build momentum. If you hear nothing for four or five days after the presentation should be over, then assume it didn't land and move on. But the day-or-two wait after your reply is just reading the room.