Page 100 of Elevator Pitch

She’s literally getting married.

“Actually, I’ve been seeing someone, and she’ll be my plus one,” I blurt.

What the hell am I doing?

We just slept together, and I just promised she’d come to my ex’s wedding.

I quietly slap my palm to my forehead.

She practically screams in my ear with glee.

“Oh really? I’m thrilled! Can’t wait to meet her! Is it serious?”

Thinking about how I’m about to ask her to stop going on dates AND exclusively sleep with me, I’d very well like to think it’s somewhat serious.

I mean, she’s in my bed cuddling my dog right now.

There is always a possibility that she could say no, but what if she doesn’t?

Keep it short and sweet.

“It is.”

I’ve officially lost it. It’s finally happened. Jesus Christ.

“I’m so happy to hear that.”

Now we’re having two conversations that could absolutely scare her off.

Just when she was starting to like me, I fucked this up.

I can’t even blame Aileen because this one is on me.

“Well, I hate to rush you off, but I’d like to wake her up with breakfast.”

I wait for her response, and she’s silent as if she’s processing before she chimes, “Yeah! Sorry to interrupt. I wish you would’ve told me sooner. Have a great day, Greyson. Love you!”

I hate that she still says this at the end of calls and texts. I stopped saying it back years ago because we’re not in love. Sure,we’ll always care for each other, butboundaries are necessary, and that’s one of mine. I won’t say something I don’t mean to appease anybody else. Especially not “love.”

With an eye roll, I add, “Have a good one. I hope everything runs smoothly with the wedding plans. Take care.”

I take a deep breath and let it roll off my shoulders, clinging to positive thoughts about this conversation with Selah to convince myself that the outcome may not end disastrously.

I’m finishing up the bacon on the stove when I think I hear her shuffling around. I smile to myself, blissfully ignoring the impending sense of dread currently filling my stomach. It’s threatening to steal my appetite despite how hard I’ve worked on this meal.

Everything is going to be fine. I’ve asked a woman to flat outmarry me once, surely, I can ask Selah to be my date to a wedding. I have asked women out before, and I don’t know what it is about Selah that makes me second-guess myself, but shit. I psych myself up until I hear her footsteps approaching.

I can do this. She may say no, but at least I tried.

45

the morning after

Selah

Manhattan | January 20, 2024

I wakeup in Greyson’s bed, surrounded by his scent and missing his warmth. However, Clifford is snuggled up against me. For such a large dog, he’s a big baby. I listen closely and hear the sizzling of pans in the distance. I smell breakfast cooking and smile to myself. I roll over to see a small yellow note resting on his pillow. It reads:

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