I do think too sometimes, conflating the two identities because it's easier for me to come out as one thing instead of two. Tbh, it kind of annoys me that aro/ace people are required to give a romantic and sexual orientation, even if their orientations match, when others don't because it makes me feel like a special snowflake to distinguish them. But at the same time, I understand why we have to do it, because so many people out there already think aromantic and asexual are exactly the same..
Also,
I am extremely extroverted and have large friend groups, which goes against the stereotype that we're cold and unemotional.
On the other hand, I have anxiety and depression, which "justifies" the stereotype that it's a mental illness for some people.
I used to say I had crushes on guys until middle school, because I was naive and thought girls could only be friends with boys if they "like liked" them. Now all of my family is convinced that I was a hopeless romantic as a child when I really just didn't want to exclude 50% of my potential friends.
I love listening to my friends talk about their romantic relationships, and helping them try to figure out whether their crushes like them back. Romance can be fun when I'm not the one involved!