Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

12. Pole Dancing

12

pole dancing

Selah

Manhattan, NY | October 20, 2023

I checked Pole dancing off my list when Daya started attending classes with me earlier this year. I always wanted to try it, but since my body didn’t meet society’s beauty standards, I convinced myself I needed to lose weight before starting a class. That’s what kept me away from it, but I was wrong. Any body type can work a pole. I’ve never felt sexier or more confident about my curves than when I’m dancing. Plus, it’s another thing to get me out of the house, so my therapist is on board with it too.

I throw a few extra thick hair ties in my duffle bag and text Daya to let her know I’m leaving. We always meet at this shop around the corner from the dance studio to grab smoothies and catch up before class. It’s much needed since we’re too busy sweating and don’t get much time to talk in between routines.

I take the elevator to the garage and I think about my recent coffee shop visits with Greyson. I’ve been doing that experiment for a month, and it’s been excruciating, at least until he popped up. I can’t explain it, either. His presence soothed any qualms I had. Once he approaches me, my only thoughts are not to embarrass myself in front of him, which I’m certain I do every time we have an interaction. I find that I’m not as anxious because I don’t notice anyone else once he joins me.

Greyson’s visits can’t be more than forty-five minutes, but they feel like so much longer. I’ve been prepping for an upcoming sprint cycle and couldn’t give him much attention, but he didn’t seem to mind. He keeps me company and makes an effort to get to know me. I’d say that makes the experiment successful.

He caught me off guard when he first approached my table. All those people in that café and amid it all, he found me . I now know that he’s a detail-oriented man. He asks about my tattoos, and I’m not used to men noticing anything about me. These tattoos are my battle scars. An everlasting montage of music etched into my skin. I’ve gone on twelve dates this year, and not one of them asked about my tattoos. Greyson noticed three and promised to give them all his attention . I’m not sure what he meant by that, but I’ll admit I like the sound of it.

Daya is going to love these updates about the ‘hot neighbor,’ as she calls him. She’s more confident with men, and I’m hoping she can give me some advice on how not to embarrass myself whenever I’m around him. He’s appeared in a few of my dreams since we met, that’s all I’ll say about that. It’s a reprieve from my regular nightmares, so I’m not complaining, but he makes me flustered. He is the exact opposite of my SoulBlend matches . I think if I went out with him, I’d enjoy myself for once. I could check some spicy tasks off my list. All of them if there’s any validity to his recent comments.

I hope to hear you calling me Grey soon.

I’m not deterred by anything ‘nasty.’ If anything, I’m more intrigued.

A part of me believes that I shouldn’t complicate things with Greyson because if something goes wrong, I still have to see him. On the other hand, he’s a beautiful, tolerable man who may be able to satisfy my needs…and I am running out of time to complete the list by my birthday.

Nope.

He’s my neighbor and that’s it.

My hot neighbor whose big arms I’ve dreamt about.

My hot neighbor whose big arms I’ve dreamt about picking me up and fu—that’s enough.

greyson

We’re leaving the dog park and walking through the neighborhood when my stomach starts rumbling. As we stroll down the street, Cliff starts sniffing the air excitedly . I let his nose lead the way, hoping there’s a food truck close by. To our surprise, there is. A smile stretches across my face when I spot the familiar logo, Aguilar’s— our favorite. I know the owners well, one being my best friend Elena, and her cousin, Marco. They love Clifford so much, they added a ‘ puppy meal ’ of mini tacos on the menu, just for him. I ignore my rumbling stomach as I place our usual order. Elena overhears my voice and peeks out the window with a wide grin.

“Gris? 1 ! You have my boy?” she asks with raised eyebrows.

She hardly ever calls me Grey.

“I do,” I say with a chuckle.

As soon as he hears Elena’s voice, he whips his tail around excitedly.

“I’ll be out in a sec,” she says and holds one finger up.

She whispers something to her cousin Marco, who’s taking my order. I grab my wallet to pay, counting the bills and handing them through the window when he shakes his head.

He says, “We go through this every time you eat here. You are family and we don’t want your money.”

“How am I to support a small business if you refuse to let me pay?”

He clears his throat and discreetly points to the tip jar.

Marco is a smart man.

I stash the bills in the tip jar while Elena has her back turned, and he gives me a thumbs up.

She steps out of the truck and exclaims, “My boys!”

Of course, Cliff gets to her first, enjoying chin scratches and baby talk. Then she walks over and folds her arms around me, holding me in an embrace for a moment. She rubs her hand up and down my shoulder blade in a soothing way as if she knew I needed that.

She pulls back and looks me up and down, holding on to both of my shoulders. She’s so short that she’s craning her neck to get a good look at me.

“How are you feeling, Gris?”

“Good. Just out with Cliff to get some fresh air. He smelled you, s o we came straight here, and I’m starving,” I whine, throwing my head back and rubbing my stomach.

“I can help with that. You’re going to stay out for a bit? I can take my break with you.”

“I’d like that.”

I grab my order, and we sit with Elena at a nearby table. I’m facing the street and Cliff sits beside me, patiently waiting for his food. I unclip the water bottle bowl that hangs from his leash and fill it up, placing his food and water in front of him. He looks at me, waiting for my cue so he can dig in.

“You can eat, Bud.”

He digs in and drinks some water.

While we eat, Elena is catching me up on what’s new with Aguilar’s and their upcoming catering gigs. I told her that I met my beautiful new neighbor the last time we had brunch, but I haven’t given an update since. When she asks about her, I mention I ran into her at the coffee shop a few weeks back and we now have a standing meeting. I wouldn’t call that a date, but it’s a step up from our run-ins.

“I think you should ask her out. You said it yourself, she’s dating and you caught her eye fucking you in the elevator.” She cackles.

“You know I don’t want anything serious.”

“Oh, I’m aware. She could be on the same page, you know? Whenever I go out, I’m just trying to have a little fun. You do realize that you can date without the intent to marry, right? It’s 2023, Gris.”

She’s got me there.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t assume. I’ll ask her.”

“The worst thing she can say is no and I doubt she will,” she adds with a warm smile.

Cliff whines and when I look down at him, his face is soaked from the water bowl. He stares expectantly at me, waiting for more food. I always get him fresh fruit, and he can smell the watermelon at the table. I chuckle and add some cubes to a bowl for him. He scarfs it down, of course.

When I look up, I recognize two women walking on the other side of the street. It’s as if we talked her up because I’m looking right at Selah as she walks beside her friend, Daya. My breath catches as I stare. I try to play it cool so as not to bring Elena’s attention her way. I’ve already agreed to ask her out, but if she sees her, she’ll encourage me to do it now. They don’t seem to catch sight of Cliff and me before they disappear into a pole dancing studio.

Wait. Selah pole dances?

The thought sends blood rushing straight to my dick. I stiffen.

Down boy. We’re in public.

I can actually see her from here.

I’m just having dinner with my best friend and my dog while I watch my gorgeous neighbor slide down a pole across the street.

Man. That sounds bad .

I’m going to do it anyway.

We discuss my concerns about dating as someone who’s accustomed to casual relationships. She offers some advice as a fellow workaholic who occasionally makes time for hookups and dates.

“I know you don’t forgive yourself for the divorce, and you’re scared to hurt someone else. It was seven years ago, and you were kids. The man in front of me wouldn’t make that mistake again.”

“You really think so? Not just because you’re my best friend?”

She stares at me deadpan. “You’re reading romance just to make conversation. You like her. Get to know each other. There’s no harm in that. Ask her on a real date. I’ll help you plan it. What’s she into?”

“Music and books,” I say without hesitation.

“Ooh! Take her to that romance bookstore in Brooklyn. I’m sure she’ll love that.”

“What else?”

“Grab food and just talk.”

“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 asks about 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 homesick and hungry. 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 toward me. Her breasts are swaying with each step, and I’m trying my hardest not to look down at them.

I’m really 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 at Aguilar’s for 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.”

I howl. I don’t mean to laugh as loud as I do and it startles her, but she recovers and giggles alongside me. We smile and wave at our neighbors who flood out into the lobby. Selah steps into the elevator, and I follow, motioning for Clifford to join us in the car and sit down beside me. After pressing the buttons for our floors, I scratch his head and tell him what a good boy he’s been today. I look up and see her smiling softly. She has her e-reader in hand, as always, but she’s not reading. She admires Clifford and me as if she likes us.

Only one way to find out.

I clear my throat and break the silence.

“So, where were you coming from? The gym?”

“Oh, um. I was at a dance class.”

She takes her time with each word and blushes as she gets it all out.

“I didn’t know you dance.”

“I do now.” She giggles and pauses. “It was a pole dancing class. I go every week.”

My eyebrows shoot up. I can’t help myself.

“Pole dancing? Are you any good at it?”

I lean back and scan her frame, swiping my tongue across my lip. There’s a glimmer in her eye. She recognizes the challenge and serves it back.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she asks with a smirk.

Good girl. I’ll bite.

“I would, actually.”

Her gaze holds a simmering flame.

“We all want things we can’t have,” she quips with a flirty smile.

Game on. She has no idea what she just started.

I open my mouth to respond when the elevator stops at her floor. She walks over to rub Cliff’s head and tell him goodbye. She smiles up at me before she steps out of the elevator. I grip the side of the door to keep it open a few moments more, just to drink her in before I call it a night.

She turns around to face me and says, “Saved by the bell once again. Goodnight, Greyson.”

“Wait,” I say, stepping off the elevator with Clifford as my heart races. She stops and eyes me curiously. I take a deep breath and tell myself to get on with it.

Here goes nothing.

“Would you like to go on a date this weekend?”

She smiles softly. “I would. Where are we going?”

“There’s a romance bookstore in Brooklyn. I’d like to take you there and grab lunch, of course.”

She raises her brow and squints at me. “You want to buy me smut books?”

“Yes.”

“Paperback or hardcover?”

“Anything you fucking want.”

She’s eyeing me suspiciously and chewing her lip. I worry she’s going to change her mind.

“It’s a date. Don’t forget your wallet. Books aren’t cheap.”

“Oh, I’m aware,” I chime.

“Still on for Tuesday?” she asks.

“I wouldn’t dare miss it. Goodnight, Selah.”

“Night,” she says and saunters down the hallway.

This woman is something else.

We press the button and wait for the elevator. I pull out my phone and send a text to the Fools In NY group chat with Alex and Elena to tell them the news.

I look at Clifford and say, “I’m going on a date with Selah.”

He wags his tail in response.

Looks like we’re both excited.

1 ? Grey