Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

44. Make A U-Turn

44

make a u-turn

Greyson

Manhattan, NY | January 20, 2024

Bacon sizzles on the stove, and I avoid the grease popping when I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. It’s a Sunday morning, and I assume it’s my mom, but when Aileen’s name flashes across the screen, I wince. I’m aware that I don’t have to answer, and this isn’t a good time for her to be calling. I’d also hate for her to call again when Selah wakes up, so I’ll see what’s going on with her now.

“Good morning,” I say with a stiff smile.

“Morning, Greyson! It’s so good to hear your voice. You haven’t reached out in a while, and you had me a bit worried. I wanted to catch up.”

I just had the best night in years, and there’s an incredible woman in my bed I’d love to get back to.

I don’t want to deal with this right now.

Let’s keep it short and sweet.

“I’m doing good. I’ve just been tied up with work. That’s all. No need to worry about me.”

“Ugh. Everything with the wedding has been so hectic, but it’s coming together. Planning it without Daniel here has taken a toll. You know he’s often in London running the Kline distillery. It sucks, but we’ll make it work.”

“Do you have plans to move to the UK? Or him to the US?”

Keep it short and sweet, remember?

Asking questions is not short and sweet.

“Why would I do that?”

Nope.

Let me make a U-turn .

This is none of my business.

“Forget I asked.”

Short, but not sweet.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” I say flatly.

“Oh,” she exclaims as if she just remembered something. “Have you been dating since the engagement party? Given it any thought? It’d be so nice to see you with someone.”

I’m grumbling under my breath as I think of a safe way out of this conversation.

“Come to think of it, I met a sweet woman at the bake shop that I could set you up with. She is single. If you’re interested, of course.”

Absolutely not.

Annoyance bubbles at the surface.

I don’t understand why she cares so much about this.

She’s literally getting married.

“Actually, I’ve been seeing someone, and she’ll be my plus one,” I blurt.

What the hell am I doing?

We just slept together, and I just promised she’d come to my ex’s wedding.

I quietly slap my palm to my forehead.

She practically screams in my ear with glee.

“Oh really? I’m thrilled! Can’t wait to meet her! Is it serious? ”

Thinking about how I’m about to ask her to stop going on dates AND exclusively sleep with me, I’d very well like to think it’s somewhat serious.

I mean, she’s in my bed cuddling my dog right now.

There is always a possibility that she could say no, but what if she doesn’t?

Keep it short and sweet.

“It is.”

I’ve officially lost it. It’s finally happened. Jesus Christ.

“I’m so happy to hear that.”

Now we’re having two conversations that could absolutely scare her off.

Just when she was starting to like me, I fucked this up.

I can’t even blame Aileen because this one is on me.

“Well, I hate to rush you off, but I’d like to wake her up with breakfast.”

I wait for her response, and she’s silent as if she’s processing before she chimes, “Yeah! Sorry to interrupt. I wish you would’ve told me sooner. Have a great day, Greyson. Love you!”

I hate that she still says this at the end of calls and texts. I stopped saying it back years ago because we’re not in love. Sure , we’ll always care for each other, but boundaries are necessary, and that’s one of mine. I won’t say something I don’t mean to appease anybody else. Especially not “love . ”

With an eye roll, I add, “Have a good one. I hope everything runs smoothly with the wedding plans. Take care.”

I take a deep breath and let it roll off my shoulders, clinging to positive thoughts about this conversation with Selah to convince myself that the outcome may not end disastrously.

I’m finishing up the bacon on the stove when I think I hear her shuffling around. I smile to myself, blissfully ignoring the impending sense of dread currently filling my stomach. It’s threatening to steal my appetite despite how hard I’ve worked on this meal.

Everything is going to be fine. I’ve asked a woman to flat out marry me once, surely, I can ask Selah to be my date to a wedding. I have asked women out before, and I don’t know what it is about Selah that makes me second-guess myself, but shit. I psych myself up until I hear her footsteps approaching.

I can do this. She may say no, but at least I tried.