Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

20. Happy New Year

20

happy new year

Greyson

Manhattan, NY | January 1, 2024

I brought in the new year with Alex, who hasn’t mentioned a word about the whole SoulBlend thing since. I’m going to assume they’re still ignoring the obvious. Elena would’ve loved to hang out with us, but New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for her and Marco. Aguilar’s has special hours for the holidays, and they stay open till two in the morning. I hope they had a good turnout, and I know they’re happy that the holidays are over. She’ll sleep all day today, and we’ll link up later in the week. The older we’ve gotten, it’s always surprising to see if we can even stay awake for the ball to drop, but we managed to this year. Later, Alex retired to my guest room for the night, and I’ve been up watching movies. I pick up my phone to find the time, and it’s a little after three in the morning. I’ll go to bed once I know Elena made it home safely.

My phone chimes with a text from her shortly after, and it’s not exactly what I was expecting. She wants me to come outside and get some leftovers. Well, that’s a way to get me off the couch and fast. Once I’m outside, I see her food truck illegally parked down the street. Elena doesn’t give a fuck, but I still quicken my pace toward her. When she notices me, she hops out with the bag of food and greets me with a hug. Marco’s in the passenger seat, and I wave to him before she climbs back into the truck. They wish me a Happy New Year before they take off down the street.

On my short walk back to my building, I’m nearly blinded by a beacon of light as I notice movement coming from a black SUV, and I’m transfixed. My view is obstructed when they toss on a dress coat, but they leave it open as they stride in my direction. They’re a good distance and the closer they become, I recognize those curves. A body I’ve dreamt about having my hands all over more times than I’d like to admit. A beaded gold gown clings to her perfect body that gleams in the light, a metaphor for who she is when she’s comfortable. I love seeing her dressed like this, commanding the attention she rightfully deserves.

I realize that I’ve been standing here on the damn sidewalk with this bag of tacos staring at this woman. Thankfully, my feet remember to work, and I’m able to move again. Only a few steps forward before I consider the time of night and that I don’t wish to scare her out here by stopping her on the street.

I greet our night door attendant, Gino, as I enter the lobby. I stand near the elevator, inconspicuously scrolling my phone as I wait for her to get closer before I press the up button. When she appears beside me, I’m engrossed in her seductive scent.

“Greyson? What are you doing up? It’s late.”

I peer over my shoulder to take her in up close, and she’s a vision. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing her around much due to the holidays, but this makes up for it.

“I’m waiting for you to get home. Isn’t that obvious?” I ask sarcastically.

“Shut up.” She chuckles.

The elevator dings, and I absentmindedly guide my hand to the small of her back as we walk in together. She gasps softly at my touch, and before I remove my hand, she leans into it, breaking away from me once we’re inside, and stands off in her usual corner. I press the buttons for our floors and resume my place beside her. I try not to stare, but I can’t help it.

Her straightened hair is pulled back into an updo with long layers framing her face. Golden eyeshadow compliments those doe eyes, and shimmers dance across her skin under the light. Reminiscent of a shooting star, but I won’t dare shut my eyes to make a wish for fear of missing this moment.

“How was your Christmas?” she asks with a smile.

“It was really nice. I hope you had a good one as well with Elise.”

She looks up at me with a bemused expression before responding.

“We did. You remembered her name.”

“Of course I did. I remember everything about you.”

She hums to herself and puts her hand in her coat pocket as she watches the screen go up a floor. Her habit of watching the numbers ascend is always a painful reminder that our time is limited. I decide to fill the space with conversation, but she surprises me with a question.

“Did you get a midnight kiss?”

I shake my head in disbelief.

“No. Are you offering?” I ask, turning to face her.

She looks in the opposite direction, attempting to hide her smile, but the mirrored reflection on the wall reveals it anyway.

“Have you been drinking, Selah?”

She pinches her fingers together and says, “A little.”

“I thought so. You’re not acting like yourself.”

She clicks her tongue and looks away, mumbling under her breath.

“What was that?”

She just looks up at me innocently with those big eyes and shakes her head.

It sounded like she called me smell good man.

If so, I’m not mad at that.

“Did you have a good night?”

“I did. I got to wear this pretty dress. I feel like a princess.” She beams.

“You look radiant, and you are a princess. Always up in that tower,” I joke.

She snorts as the elevator stops at her floor, but she doesn’t make her usual run for it. Instead, her feet are planted, and she eyes me curiously.

“What’s on your mind, Princess?” I ask, testing the new nickname on my tongue.

“Will you walk me to my door?” she asks shyly.

I raise my brow and hold out my arm for her to grab onto. She lets out a weary sigh as we step out of the elevator. She asks me about my uneventful night and listens intently. I summarize the events of our superhero movie marathon paired with Hennessy shots, Alex turning in after the ball dropped, and these tacos that randomly appeared. I consider that it’s far too much food to eat alone and hand her a few tacos.

By the time we reach her door, she’s still sorting through her keys until she picks the right one.

She unlocks the door but doesn’t open it. Instead, she turns to face me.

“Thanks,” she says, peering up at me.

I shake my head in response.

“You don’t need to thank me. I do have a question for you though.”

“Shoot,” she says with a flirty smile.

“Did you get a midnight kiss?”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “No. I’ve never had one of those.”

“Hmm. Were you hoping to get one tonight?”

“Yeah. I hoped I’d meet someone at the party, but I didn’t.”

Her shoulders sink, and she looks down at her feet.

I regain her attention, and we lock eyes; there’s desire in her gaze. I want to kiss her so badly, but we’ve both been drinking. My cravings began with our first date, and it’s been torturous to go without the taste of her. I’ve replayed that moment in my mind far too much to be a drunken regret. I want her to remember and tell me exactly what she wants when the opportunity presents itself again.

So, I lean in and kiss her cheek instead. She shuts her eyes and beams. When I pull back, I’m grinning like an idiot. She lets herself in but gives me one last look before heading inside.

“Happy New Year, Selah.”

“Happy New Year, Greyson,” she says with a giggle.

She shuts the door behind her, and the locks click as I make my way down the hall. I get back on the elevator with a New Year's resolution in mind.

I’m going to find out exactly what Selah wants from me and give it to her.