Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

46. NWB

46

nwb

Selah

Manhattan, NY | February 8, 2024

It’s been a few weeks since Greyson and I made an arrangement to be neighbors with benefits. We discussed all the things I assumed you should with someone you’re entering into a casual relationship with. Thankfully for me, Greyson is more experienced with this sort of thing, so he was able to fill in the blanks. We both get tested regularly and even though I’ve been celibate, I still do it for peace of mind. We use protection, and I have an IUD should we ever have a mishap. We’ve discussed every possible outcome, so now we’re just having fun. After my conversation with Dr. Garnett, as soon as I let him know I agreed to it, I thought it’d be best to set some ground rules.

No sleepovers

Be honest

Don’t fall in love

Respect each other’s boundaries

Practice safe se x

He agreed with all of my terms and only had one thing to add. We’ve been following the rules, and I think the only one that’s been a bit tricky to stick with is the No Sleepovers rule. If I fall asleep at his place, I’ll sneak out and vice versa. It sucks since Greyson likes to cuddle, and I actually don’t mind it. Unfortunately, I broke that rule before I created it, and slept over that first night. While he kept me up late, I slept amazingly, and I didn’t have any nightmares. I know that’s important, but I shouldn’t be relying on a single person to soothe me. I’m in therapy and doing the work for a reason. The last thing I need is to get wrapped up in someone else because they’re a balm over everything I’m afraid of. So, I have to sleep alone and endure some nightmares in order to maintain boundaries.

The girls have been grilling me for details about Greyson and how the arrangement is going, but there’s not much to tell when things are going smoothly. We’re just having otherworldly sex, getting to know each other, and being productive, that's all. They’re starting to get the heart eyes over Greyson like we do when Audrey talks about Rome, and that’s concerning because we’re not heading towards anything more.

This arrangement is already working so well for us. It couldn’t be more perfect, and I’m happy to have found someone who’s on the same page as me. This past month is proof of that. I am having the best sex of my life with a man whose right upstairs, and I can call on him whenever I’d like. In fact, that’s what we do. It may be the best perk of sleeping with my neighbor, and I’m honestly annoyed that I was so against this in the beginning.

Greyson Park is attractive. Attractive isn’t even the proper word for a man like him, but he also makes me feel safe. I’m not used to feeling that way around a man, and I’m enjoying that. He worships my body, and my mind is free of insecurities whenever his eyes are on me. There needs to be a study done on the effect of this man, and how you can just forget everything you don’t like about yourself under his gaze .

greyson

It’s been a few weeks since Selah and I have arranged to be neighbors-with-benefits. While this isn’t my first time having a casual relationship, having one with a neighbor is new to me. Selah mentioned that she’s been more of a relationship kind of girl and that concerned me until she shared her ground rules which I assumed she googled, but I was impressed either way. I agreed with all her terms and had just one of my own.

Be my fake girlfriend for my ex-wife’s wedding

I expected some pushback, but she agreed. I feel better about the lie now that I have a willing accomplice. Out of all the rules, the one I dislike most is the No Sleepovers rule. I hate having to sneak out of her apartment or wake up to see her side of the bed empty. She doesn’t know this, but I’ve had quite a few casual flings over the years, and not one of them has slept in my bed. That’s always been a boundary of mine. However, the first night with her, I wanted her to sleep in my bed. There was no doubt in my mind about it. When I woke up beside her, I had no regrets.

So, while I know that’s a common rule in arrangements like these, it took me off guard when she expressed it. I mean, she was cozy like she owned the place. She was even snuggling with Clifford, and I got photo evidence. I just don’t get it, but I respect her wishes, and that’s why this works.

I don’t mind when she does fall asleep beside me afterward, and sometimes I secretly hope she’ll break her own rule, even by accident. It was nice having her there that morning and making breakfast. As much as I’ve grown accustomed to doing things by myself, I’ll admit that I enjoyed taking care of someone else again. I’m not going to overanalyze what that means because I'm sure it’ll only make the least uncomplicated relationship a complicated one, and Selah doesn’t deserve that.

In fact, she’s made it very clear she’s not interested in anything serious with anyone, and it’s not like I can’t relate to that. Both Selah and I have been hurt in the past, and while neither of us has opened up much about it, arrangements like these work to protect ourselves. I wouldn’t be doing a good job of protecting myself or her if I started unpacking shit in hopes of eventually making things more serious than they are.

Usually, I’m doing pretty good around this time of year, and thanks to my vow to maintain casual relationships, I’ve never had to complicate things any further. However, with Selah, I fear that we’ve unintentionally complicated things. We get along too well, enjoy each other’s company, and spend a lot of time together. Making time was an issue in my marriage. I was always working and took on every project imaginable. Of course, it’s different now that I own a company and have a team I can delegate tasks to, but I’m actually relinquishing control so that I can simply make time for her. My casual relationships have always had an amicable end and a mutual understanding. However, I’m dreading when that day comes with Selah.

As much as she’s resistant to love, someone is going to come along, and she won’t want to do this shit forever. I’m going to enjoy this for as long as it lasts, but of course I have my concerns about when it comes to an end. I have a big one: Clifford. He adores her.

We’re on the same page, but we don’t always behave like two people who regularly meet up for sex. I wonder what her friends say about us. Alex and Elena think I’m lying to myself and that I am bound to want more. They’ve said I wasn’t even this happy with Aileen, and I just shrugged it off. I’ve assured them that I’ve got this handled, and I plan to ride this out as long as she’s willing.