Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

2. Out Of Service

2

out of service

Greyson

Manhattan, NY | September 2, 2023

When I attended my 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 notice all 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 of her in the process.

Five years ago, I founded a dating app called SoulBlend, which has been 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,” he sings, 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.”

“Did you have 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.

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 fu cking awful.”

Elena and Alex collectively groan.

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

“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 app I created to move on from her .”

“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 create SoulBlend solely 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 one and we’re doing a group hug.”

“Since when did you become so affectionate?”

Elena chortles beside me before saying, “Alex is affectionate. 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.”

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 the Kiwi Music app, I chose a playlist for the drive. I recap the night as When I Get You Alone comes 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 the Summertime.

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 like sex .

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?”