Page 3 of Elevator Pitch

I wonder if Elena can read my thoughts when she asks, “So, what were you talking about when she came over to the table?”

“Well, she said a lot while devouring the desserts on my plate.” I chuckle. “Oh, and she was wearing those pearl earrings I bought her when I landed my first job out of college. The ones you helped me pick out.” I nod to Elena.

“Noooo. I knew they looked familiar,” she whines.

“I hope you know I am trying so hard to keep my mouth shut,” Alex adds.

“I know, man. She gave me shit about not bringing a date, and she doesn’t believe I’m happy single. Went on a tangent about how I was when we were in love. Talked about how I’m a romantic at heart, and I’m not getting any younger…it was fucking awful.”

Elena and Alex collectively groan.

“Oh, she had more to say. She met Daniel onSoulBlend.”

“Fuck out of here!” Alex exclaims, startling sleeping Henry.

“Yeah. That was my thought too. She didn’t want to tell me because of how strange it was. She met her future husband on an appIcreated to move on fromher.”

“That’s fucked up. If any person deserves to find love on that app, it should be you.”

“The success of the app aided me through the divorce, and I’m proud of that. I didn’t createSoulBlendsolely for me. I did it for everyone.”

Elena rubs my arm to reassure me.

“It’s alright, really.”

“It’s really not. I’m sure you don’t want to talk about this shit anymore, so we’ll drop it. You know we’re always here for you.”

“Of course. I love you fools.”

“We love you too,” they say in unison.

“And don’t think you’re getting out of a hug tonight.You need oneand we’re doing a group hug.”

“Since when did you become so affectionate?”

Elena chortles beside me before saying, “Alexisaffectionate. His love language is physical touch.”

“Did he tell you that?” I lock eyes with Alex in the rearview, and he glares at me.

“I just have a way of knowing things,” she says matter-of-factly.

I raise my eyebrows at Alex through the mirror, and he flips me off.

Classy.

I flick off the light and close the door behind me, leaving Hen to rest. When I was Henry’s age, I was married and worked tirelessly. The fact that he enjoyed himself tonight while he’s been busting his ass in med school fills me with pride. I’m grateful he’s so different from me.

I gather my things so I can get back home to Clifford. I enter the kitchen to find Alex reenacting his favorite Henry dance moves of the night, and we erupt into laughter.

“Thanks for coming with me. I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Anytime,” Elena chimes.

She bags up my desserts when Alex strides closer with a devious grin.

“About that group hug.”

---