Page 2 of Elevator Pitch

I'd consider letting love in if I ever found someone like that. I understand that person is not on a dating app. After twelve doozies, I’m throwing in the towel and revising my list. I don’t need a partner, nor do I want one. I pull up mySoulBlendprofile, and my thumb hovers over the deactivate button.

I am distracted when my Uber driver says, “We’re here.”

I grab my things and open the door.

“Thank you! Have agreat night.”

She gives me a soft smile and a wave goodbye. I step onto the curb and head toward the entrance of my building. I’m greeted by our door attendant, David, and chat with him for a moment before I step through the doors, accidentally dropping my keys and bending to pick them up. As I rise, I see a tall figure heading toward the entrance out of the corner of my eye. I turn around and walk further into the lobby. It’s a dead zone, so I grab my e-reader, open to the chapter I left off on, and read it as I walk. I would’ve much rather spent my evening doing this than having a front-row seat at a shit show.

I hear the entrance door beep as someone enters the building and focus on my story, which is heating up, and I can’t wait for the spice. I stop once I’m close enough to the elevator and press the up button. Stepping aside, I read as I wait. Footsteps approach, from the person who came in behind me. Once they stand beside me, I’m enveloped in a heady scent. It’s intoxicating and sensual. Very masculine.

Judging by the scent, I’d imagine it’s something a man who goes for exactly what he wants would wear. He smellssexy.Very sexy.I don't bother looking up from my book to see his face because I no longer have the energy to converse with anyone. Especiallynot a man.

2

out of service

Greyson

Manhattan, NY | September 2, 2023

When I attendedmy ex-wife’s engagement party, I hadn’t expected to learn that she met her fiancé, Daniel, on the dating app I founded. I thought inviting me to the engagement party was far from normal, but Aileen insisted because ‘we’re just friends who used to be married, it was fine.’

We met freshman year at NYU and dated all through college, then I proposed after graduation, and we eloped soon after. Once I got the degree and the girl, I became stagnant. After all those years of seeking approval from my parents, I felt like I could finally breathe. We were married for two years before she filed for divorce, and while I was devastated, I knew I failed her. Before Aileen, I hadn’t failed at anything.

We struggled with communication, and it trickled into our sex life. It was evident once you took friendship out of it that Aileen and I didn’t make sense as a couple. We were polar opposites in many areas, mainly the bedroom, and she wasn’t open-minded. I didn’t fight to break down those barriers. Instead, I poured all my focus into work because that was easier than getting my wife to open up to me. I once made an effort to noticeall the little things and cater to her every need, but then I became obsessed with the money I was making and the opportunities that came along. I was finally experiencing what validation felt like after years of feeling like I wasn’t good enough, but I lost sight ofherin the process.

Five years ago, I founded a dating app calledSoulBlend, which hasbeen wildly successful in helping users worldwide find their person. I’ve lost count of how many weddings and baby showers I’m invited to each year, but when my schedule allows, I attend.

Here’s a fun fact about me: I love weddings. Though, when Aileen and I got married, we didn’t have one. We couldn’t afford one fresh out of college and we could’ve involved our parents, but we didn’t want to wait or have a big ceremony.

After the divorce, I went out to find myself, and I did everything you should to ‘find your peace.’ I’ve eaten on nearly every continent and prayed to many gods, but love? I’d like to think that if love knocks again, I’ll answer the door. Now, I don’t expect to find a billionaire like Aileen did, but I wouldn’t complain.

Thanks to my best friends, Alex and Elena, I didn’t have to endure this party solo. Then there’s my brother Henry, who couldn’t care less about my ex remarrying. He desperately needed a night out of his dorm, and the free liquor was a bonus. I can’t say I blame the kid. To be fair, he was thirteen when we split, and they stayed close. She was the big sister he never had.

We’re leaving early because Henry had a little too much to drink. Alex helps me get Henry in the backseat with ease. Elena offers to sit with him in the back, but Alex protests, saying she looks too pretty tonight to be covered in vomit. Elena laughs and hops in the passenger seat. Once everyone is boarded up, I round the car and hop in. As I pull out of the parking lot, I hear rustling and notice Alex digging through the food bags Daniel left us.

“Coffee Buns, Fresh Cream Cake, and Yakgwa cookies,” hesings, before adding begrudgingly, “We could’ve had some bingsu too if Henry could hold his liquor.”

I chuckle softly. “Hey. Save some for us.”

“There’s more than enough. Daniel was very generous with the desserts.”

“Didyouhave fun?” I ask Alex.

“I didn’t expect to, but I did. I also didn’t mind babysitting. You know our boy Henry got some numbers tonight?”

“Oh, really?” I ask with raised brows.

“Yup. Our little boy is becoming a man,” he says with pride.

I snort.

As we get closer to Alex’s place, he asks if we’re all staying the night, and I decline. They suggest letting Henry stay over. I know it’s to let me process the night I just had, and I’m grateful. I look through my rearview and see Henry has fallen asleep.

I start thinking about the uncomfortable conversation with Aileen.

You’re a romantic, always have been. A flower buying, slow dancing, stargazing romantic. You’re in the business of matchmaking. I don’t believe that a man like you truly prefers casual dating over commitment.

---