Umm.... You should have welcomed her request for a reason. Simply tell her (in front of your dreamgirl if possible) that you're smitten with the dreamgirl. This puts it all out in the open, and sets up your dreamgirl for what's in store - which is the question you've been waiting to answer.
And, you'd be surprised but the girl would likely be okay with it. At the age I'm guessing these females are, her "matchmaker" instincts would likely take over - drying up her tears and perhaps getting her on your side.
As I told you before, he who hesitates is lost. As someone else so eloquently put it, he who hesistates, ma**. But, don't we all anyway.
