Page 36 of Elevator Pitch

I‘ve been avoiding them for a few weeks.

Me

What have eggs done to you?

Selah

Unspeakable things.

I take a moment to put in our order. It will be here in thirty minutes, allowing me time to mentally prepare for her visit. I can’t believe she agreed to have dinner with me. It was worth the shot.

Me

Well, now I’m intrigued.

Apt 12D

Be here in 20.

Selah

See you in a few. :)

Scanning my apartment, I quickly grab a vacuum to tidy up. I wince. I’ve been traveling a lot, and my place has seen better days. It’s important that I impress her and I hope that a clean apartment and a candle is a good start. I hastily clean until my doorbell rings. As much as I’d love to see her on the other side of it, my smile falters when I open the door and see the food delivery driver instead.

Moments after, the doorbell chimes and my stomach drops, knowing Selah is on the other side of it. I answer the door with an exhale, and there she stands. Dark, long curls frame her face, and a shy smile graces her full lips.

“Hi,” she says nervously.

“Hey,” I say as I lean on the doorframe, taking her in.

She’s in a hoodie and jeans, staring up at me. I regain my focus when she clears her throat. “Are you going to let me in?”

“Only if you promise to tell me about your phobia of eggs,” I tease.

She chuckles. “Fine. I’ll tell you.”

My smile widens as I invite her in, closing the door behind us. Clifford excitedly jumps off the couch to greet our guest. She crouches down to give him her full attention, and he basks in it. I can’t help but smile at them.

“Could you take off your shoes?” I ask.

“Of course,” she says, taking a seat on the stool in my entryway.

She unzips her boots and meets me in the kitchen wearing socks with pink polka dots, grabbing a seat at the island. I ask what she’d like to drink, and she’d like water. She’s quiet while her coffee brown eyes study me as I prepare her plate. I’m enveloped in her alluring scent when I approach, setting the bowl of rice and a glass of ice water in front of her. She thanksme with a soft smile, and I invite her to join me on the couch for a movie.

“Don’t mind if I do,” she sings, following me to the living room.

She sits at a respectful distance, grabs a coaster for her glass and relaxes on the sofa. I turn on the TV, and when I hand over the remote, she doesn’t take it. I glance over to find her eyes searching the room and halt on my record player. I watch as she observes my displayed vinyl, lips parting as if she spotted something she likes.

“Hmm. I’m impressed by your collection over there,” she says.

“When we finish eating, I’ll show you just how good that collection is. If you set your food down, Clifford will inhale it in three seconds.” He lifts his head at the sound of his name. “I can guarantee you’ll want to dance with me.”

“Hmm. You sound confident, Greyson.”

“Is that a problem?”

She cackles and leans in close, enveloping me in her alluring scent. I bite my lip, returning her gaze, and curiosity lingers in her stare.

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