My friend (33F) introduced me to her friend who is single but always wants to join us when I make plans with her friend

A couple of months ago, I met a girl through a hiking group. Although we barely talked the first time, I ran into her a few weeks later near my home, and it turned out that we live just 5 minutes away from each other. We met again during a hiking event, and this time, we got to know each other better. At the end of the hike, she gave me her number and asked me to call her. She mentioned that I was the first person she befriended because she felt she could trust me. We started hanging out, watching movies, having dinner, just the two of us. She tells me that she doesn't normally do these activities because they drain her, but she feels comfortable doing them with me. Every time we meet, she gives me my favorite chocolates or snacks. She even started giving me nicknames and bought me food, gifts, snacks. Once, when I didn't text her for a couple of days, she asked me if she was important to me or not, but then told me she was just joking. One night, I took her to a movie and dinner, we walked together late at night and she thanked me for taking her out.
There have been a few times where she talked about not being interested in relationship (she appeared frustrated). We were casually talking about her friends, and she told that I should pursue her friend as she?s single. At first, I brushed it off as a joke but when she brought the same topic the second time, I agreed. She told me to take her out, get to know her so I did take her out. My friend told her she had a good time with me. But ever since then, It has been difficult taking her friend out as the one who tried to set me up wants to join whenever I invite her. We 3 were having dinner together and I asked her friend if she?s free to go out on a hike with me and then my friend was like ?Why don?t you invite me too?. I?m not sure why she said that knowing I?m trying to pursue her friend. She sometimes tells me not to forget about her or ditch her as she sees me as family. I?m not sure what?s she trying to do. I have already talked to her that I would like to go on a date with her friend but she isn?t being too helpful anymore. I tried to talk to her if she?s comfortable with me pursuing her friend and she said yes. We 3 are going on a vaction together next month and my friend told me not to make any big moves before that.
TL;Dr: My friend introduced me to her friend, gave me the idea of dating her and I said yes. But everytime I make plans, she wants to join when I?m trying to spend 1 on 1 with her friend.


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