Is the talking stage exclusive?

The word she uses matters less than what it sits next to. If she says she's not seeing anyone else but also keeps mentioning a friend's wedding next month or a trip she's planning alone, those are both things to notice. If she answers the question straight and then asks you the same thing back, that's usually a good sign that she's ready to commit to something. A vague answer like 'not really, just seeing where things go' often means she wants the option open, and you should believe that rather than hoping it means something else.

Also look at how she behaves in the weeks around the question. Does she make plans with you that she has to protect, or does she keep things loose? Does she follow up when you're not texting, or does she fade? Those patterns tell you more than any single message. The talking stage is where people show you what they're willing to put in, so let the pattern speak before you decide what the answer means.

If you want an honest answer, you have to be willing to give one. Tell her where you stand first. Something like 'I'm not seeing anyone else and I'd like to keep it that way for now' sets the terms without asking her to match them. It also makes it much easier for her to answer you truthfully, because she's not being asked to make a promise you haven't made yourself.

If you're still open to other people, say that too. That feels risky, but it's far better than letting her assume you're exclusive and finding out later you weren't. A straight answer from you tends to get a straight answer back. Once you've both said where you are, you can decide whether the same level of interest is there, and whether it's worth continuing to see each other on those terms.

Ask the question one time, in a casual moment. Not on the phone, not right after a date ends on a flat note, and not in a long text that buries it under three other things. Once you've asked, leave the answer alone. If she takes a few hours to reply, that's normal. If she doesn't reply to that message at all, don't send a second version of the same question that day. Wait until the next time you're talking, and bring it up as part of an ordinary conversation.

If she dodges the question twice, take that as the answer and adjust. You don't need to fight for a label. Keep your own dating life honest, and decide how much more time you want to spend before you either pull back or say plainly that you need more clarity. Your job is to ask clearly, not to get her to say the thing you want.