Chapter 16

Laura’s POV

Vince sounded really serious now, and I could clearly see the determination in his eyes.

“I want you to be my girlfriend, Laura,” Vince informed me. “I am tired of telling myself that I just want to be friends with you when I want to be more than friends with you, Laura.”

I looked at Vince, thinking how I was going to respond to him. I knew he cared about me a lot, but I didn’t want to say something that would hurt him. I just wanted him to be happy, with or without me.

Vince moved closer to me and gently touched my shoulders. “Be my girlfriend, Laura.”

I slowly moved away from him. “I am sorry, Vince.”

Vince’s face fell, his hopeful expression gradually replaced by disappointment. I could sense the weight of my response in the heavy silence that hung between us.

“Why?” Vince asked softly, his eyes searching for answers in mine.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “It’s not that I don’t care about you, Vin