Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

38. Woman

38

woman

Greyson

Manhattan | January 19, 2024

I stand in the lobby watching her hips sway in that dress as she leaves. I bite my lip and admire her until she’s no longer in my line of sight. Missing her the moment she escapes me, an unfamiliar feeling sets in. I’m not proud of the thought that crosses my mind. It’s not like me and if I were in my right mind, I wouldn’t do it. However, Selah inhabits my mind and has done so since that first night in the elevator. I force my feet to make the trip back to my apartment and am warring between doing the right thing and the stupid thing. Wish me luck.

The right thing would be enjoying a quiet evening at home with my dog and hoping Selah has a nice time on her date. The stupid thing would be to go down there and cause a scene because she should be with me. See what I mean? Absolutely fucking stupid and nothing like me.

I have been reading too many of her romance books and the lines between reality and fiction have obviously been crossed. I recline back on my couch and settle on a show to binge for the night. I am very capable of doing the right thing.

I don’t make it very long into the show before I start thinking about her. I’m not mad she’s going on a date, but I won’t deny that my stomach dropped when she said those words. I’ve never been a jealous person, so it caught me by surprise. I hope I didn’t come off as upset.

The last thing I’d want is for her to think I’m being possessive over her when we’ve only had sex one time, and I’d hardly call it that. I pleased her once and it was an honor. I just thought it affected her. At least that’s what it seemed like based off that call last week. I know she surely affected me. I wasn’t prepared for it either, but here we are.

I can’t be alone in this because she intentionally riled me up. It was wrong to send her off with wet panties, but she shouldn’t be on a date anyway. If she wants a date, she should be on one with me. It’s been a while since I actually asked her out, so I accept responsibility for that. She said one to two weeks to decide on the final decision on the arrangement. She should know what she wants after this date she’s currently on. That’s it.

I’m not mad at her for going on a date, I’m mad at myself for not asking her. At least if I did, I’d have more clarity. I leave the ball in her court. She may dribble or make a shot, which is normal. Sometimes, she’ll kick the ball or walk out with it under her arm. What did she do tonight? Walk off with the fucking ball. It’s still her ball, yet I’m sitting here working on a defensive play.

I’m distracted by my growling stomach and that reminds me I need to decide on dinner. I remember the restaurant that Selah is going to tonight and that sounds very appetizing.

The idea has reentered my mind. The stupid one.

I should not be craving a meal from the same restaurant Selah is currently on a date at.

I should not place an order at that restaurant for pickup.

I should not be entering my card information in for enough food to feed a small family.

I hover my thumb over the submit button before I decide to cancel my order entirely and exit the app .

That’s it. I will not do this.

I can have dinner anywhere in Manhattan.

She’s a grown woman and can do whatever she wants.

If she’s interested, she’ll come to me.

The ball is still in her court, and I have no choice but to accept that.

I will do the right thing.

I should do the right thing.