Page 4 of Elevator Pitch

I snort. “Oh, you were serious?”

“Bring it in.” He pats his chest. “Come get it while it’s hot.”

“What does that even mean?”

“I’ve heard Elena say it on the food truck before.”

She bursts out laughing. “That means someone’s order is ready.”

He opens his arms, wrapping them around us tightly.

He sighs, “I love you fools.”

“Love you too,” we say collectively before pulling apart.

Elena walks me to the door, asking about brunch tomorrow and to bring Cliff because she misses him. I let her know I’ll be back tomorrow, and she knows how much I love her cooking. I say goodnight to them both and listen for the door to lock before I head to my SUV.

After scrolling theKiwi Musicapp, I chose a playlist for the drive. I recap the night asWhen I Get You Alonecomes through my speakers. I soon recall the conversation with Aileen’s wedding planner, who was trying to set me up with a friend of hers. I had to get Henry out of there, so I didn’t get her name or her friend’s.

She’s beautiful like theSummertime.

Radiant, like a field of sunflowers when she feels safe enough to shine.

Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.

When I get back to my place and walk up to the garage elevator, I notice an out-of-service sign taped to the doors.

This Elevator is temporarily out of service. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please reach out to the front desk if you have any questions.

- Management

I consider taking the stairs because it’s on the same level as my apartment, but I remember to check my mailbox. I refuse to take twelve flights of stairs to the lobby and back, so I park on the ground floor. Approaching the entrance, I spot a shapely woman in a silk, burnt orange dress bending to pick something off the ground. I slow my steps to put more distance between us as I don’t wish to startle her.

She returns to her height, with brown skin and long dark hair straightened—stopping at her lower back. I watch her converse with our door attendant for a moment, so she must live here. I greet David and head over to my mailbox on the opposite side of the lobby. I lock the box, tuck the mail into my camera bag, and turn around to see if the mystery woman is still here, and to my surprise, she is. She’s holding an e-reader and appears to be reading something interesting because she’s not paying attention to her surroundings. There’s no one here but me and Barb at the front desk.

I’d like to read something that captures my attention like that.

I pad towards the elevator, careful not to disturb her. Planting my feet a respectful distance, I glance over my shoulder, but she doesn’t notice me. I take a deep breath when her scent hits me violently: jasmine and tuberose. I’m enthralled. She smells likesex.

Does she know it?

I give her my full attention, and she is so wrapped up in that book that I can’t see much of her face, but her side profile is divine. Her full, glossy lips are reminiscent of lava cake. She has a cute button nose and full brows. She wears two gold necklaces, hoop earrings, and various gold bands spread across her fingers. Fine-line tattoos are scattered over her curvaceous frame. I imagine her as a force to be reckoned with and am determined to earn her attention.

The ding sounds, she rushes onto the platform, and I follow behind. Once we’re inside, she stands opposite me, immersed in that book.

She didn’t even press a button for her floor.

I challenge myself to distract her at least once on this elevator ride. I’m not sure why this is so important to me, but it is.

I break the silence to ask, “what floor?”

3

what floor?

Selah

Manhattan, NY | September 2, 2023

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