What can I say to help my chances and not sound desperate or anything?

You asked her out once and she said she was going to contemplate it and never got back to you? So you and this girl have never been out on a ''date'', yes?

Okay, first off. Don't throw the Love word into the mix yet. It'll scare her off, especially if she politely declined your offer to go out.

If she never got back to you about going out, chances are she isn't completely interested in you. I hate to discourage you, but if she really liked you, she'd tell you a day she was free and go from there.

Don't lose all hope, just back off for a while. If you see her smile and acknowledge her, but that's it.

Don't change yourself to please her and try to make her come to you, if she's not interested then you should move on and find a girl who wants to be with you! <3

I'd say that you definitely don't want to throw out the 'L' bomb just yet. Way too soon for that and it might freak her out.

Best bet is to start doing more together. Say you're thinking about checking out X concert or going to a mini-putt or something (whatever) and ask if she wants to come along. Pay her way, but no pressure. If you're doing something with friends invite her along. Have fun and let things develop naturally on their own.

She can sit at home and think all she wants, but she'll just think her way into circles unless you better your odds by showing her what a great guy you really are. Let her get to know you better.

Maybe avoid telling her you love her, right off the bat. Saying you love someone when trying to start a relationship with them, might scare them away at first. Just let her know you really like her, and hope she feels the same way. See if she wants to go to a movie or wander around the mall one day. Get to know each other without the pressure:)