Page 26 of Elevator Pitch

“I could do that.”

“See? Now, you just gotta ask,” she says with a hopeful smile. “Keep me posted and let me know when you get back home. I love you guys.”

She hugs me goodbye, and Clifford enjoys some head rubs before she heads back to the truck.

I look up in time to see the instructor teaching a move. She climbs the pole and twirls a few times before extending her leg. My eyes find Selah, who watches closely before repeating that same move with grace. I’m enamored by her. I feel my pants getting tighter at the sight of her.

To distract myself, I call Henry to check in on him. He picks up on the second ring. I hope I’m not bothering him, but he lets me know he could use the break. He fills me in on college and his latest dilemma because there always is one. He even asksabout Selah, and I tell him I don’t have much of an update. He asks about our parents and we talk about them for a bit. I don’t visit much outside of the holidays, but he stays with them in the summer and has time off from school. I get up from the table and toss our trash as we start our walk back home.

I tell my brother I love him and that I’ll let him get back to studying. He stops me when I go to hang up to thank me for calling and admits he’s been homesick. Mom sends him back to school every semester with a supply of food that should last, but he’s already gone through half of it. He mentions how he’s tried to ration the food on campus, but it doesn’t compare to Mom’s cooking. Hen goes to NYU, so he isn’t too far from me or our parents in Brooklyn, but I remember that feeling all too well. I ask if he’s free tomorrow for lunch and decide to send him back with more meals.

“We can’t have you homesickandhungry. Don’t even mention that to Mom. She’ll move into your dorm.”

He chuckles. “That sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you. Goodnight.”

“Night, kid. Love you, too.”

We greet David at the door and he gives Clifford a treat. We’re halfway through the lobby when I hear someone enter behind us, making me glance over my shoulder before I freeze.

It’s Her. Selah.

We lock eyes and she gives me a soft smile. “Wait up?” she asks.

As if I would do anything other than wait for her.

She moves the handle of her bag higher up on her shoulder before quickening her pace across the lobby floor, headed towardme. Her breasts are swaying with each step, and I’m trying my hardest not to look down at them.

I’mreally being challenged tonight.

What have I done to deserve this torture?

She stops in front of us while she catches her breath. She stares up at me and her eyes glimmer. Clifford’s tail wags rapidly at her presence. She bends down to greet him and scratch his head. He leans into her touch and licks her hand, which makes her laugh and it’s my new favorite song. A melody I hope I never get out of my head.

Speaking of my head, I see her mouth moving.

She’s obviously speaking to me and I have no idea what she said.

Get it together.

“I-I’m so sorry. I zoned out for a sec. What did you say?”

“No worries. I asked where did you two come from? He smells like watermelons.”

She scratches his chin with one hand and rubs his back with the other, and he relishes the attention. I remind myself to give him a big treat when we get home and buy him a new squeaky toy for being such a good boy.

My friends have officially been fired as wingmen.

“Oh. We took a walk, and then we stopped atAguilar’sfor dinner. If I have him with me, I grab him their puppy meal and fresh fruit.”

She smiles and I swear it could light up Times Square.

“What a great Dog Daddy you are.”

I stiffen, and my throat bobs at the word ‘Daddy’ coming from her lips.

Is she flirting with me?God, I hope so.

She nervously chuckles and averts her eyes when the elevator stops at our floor. “Whew,” she says. Pretending to wipe sweat from her brow. “Saved by the bell.”

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