Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

54. Surprise

54

surprise

Selah

Manhattan, NY | March 11, 2024

Once the door shuts behind Grey, his mom and I jump into planning mode. She loved my idea about inviting Henry and his friends over for dinner. Thankfully she has everyone’s number because I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting them yet. They’ll be here soon, and I am so relieved. It was weird that he didn’t mention it was his birthday when we were together all morning and yesterday, but I remember him telling me he hates his birthday and refusing to tell me when it was. I thought it was strange, but I didn’t press it because I figured it would come up sooner or later. Since Grey hates his birthday and I am naturally inclined to do the exact opposite of what he expects, I wanted us to bake him a cake.

When I saw all the groceries his parents brought, I asked his mom if she would teach me how to cook Greyson’s favorite foods. She was thrilled and showed me how to make Wanja Jorim, which was messy, but fun. We got started on the fresh cream cake after so it would have time to cool before dinner. I’m learning everything quickly and I’m feeling confident. I’m sure I won’t remember all these recipes tomorrow, but I really hope that Grey appreciates the dinner.

We’re bonding over romance novels because to my surprise she likes to read them too. The spicier the better, which made for hilarious conversations once it was just us girls. I wonder if she’d be interested in joining our book club. I don’t think Greyson would mind, but I’ll mention it to him first. He wasn’t exactly thrilled at this visit today and I’m curious if it was because of the day or if he’d be like this in general.

When everything is nearly done, I run downstairs to feed Peach and grab another set of clothes for dinner. Grey came down here and fed her this morning, I noticed he cleaned her litter box too. He’s sly about sneaking into my apartment to take care of my cat. It’s cute and thoughtful. I smile to myself as I fill a tote bag with a few necessities and decide on a dress that will have him tripping over his tongue but is still appropriate for meeting the parents.

I grab a pair of shorts, a tank and my bonnet in case I decide to sleep over…on purpose this time. I didn’t have a bonnet last night and was fortunate after everything we did; my hair didn’t look a mess. I freshen up my curls and style them, pinning one side out of my face with a cute clip. I apply light makeup that draws attention to my eyes, cheekbones and my signature brown lip. My new earrings are the final touch. I take one last glance at myself in the mirror and I look damn good. I almost feel kind of bad that Grey will be dying to touch my ass in this dress all night.

Oh well. That's what he gets for not telling me the truth.

When I get back to Grey’s apartment, his mom hypes me up and loves the dress. I put my apron back on and get to work on the cake icing while we wait for everyone to arrive.

A tall man that looks like a younger Grey arrives first. A wary smile stretches across his face as he approaches the kitchen. He greets me as ‘Sunflower Girl,’ and I call him ‘Baby Hen.’ I try to shake his hand, but he refuses and engulfs me in a hug instead.

“I can’t believe you got him to leave the house today and go somewhere with appa.”

“Eomma,” he says, striding into the kitchen.

He wraps Mrs. Park in a hug and lifts her off the ground. She shrieks with joy until he puts her down. She gives him a big kiss on the cheek and recommends that he wash up and help before he starts stealing food.

The next to arrive must be Elena. She’s short with long wavy hair and is absolutely stunning. When she gets through the door, I notice her hands are full of bags, so I rush over to help her. She hands me a few bags and looks at me with honey eyes. Up close, she looks very familiar. I wonder where I’ve seen her before. We introduce ourselves and I love her energy. I set the bags on the island and that’s when I notice the logo. Aguilar’s. I ate there one day after pole dancing class with Daya. She locks eyes with Mrs. Park and greets her in the kitchen, wrapping her in a warm embrace. She joins us as we prepare dinner, learning all we can from the chef.

Alex is last to arrive and makes quite an entrance. Grey mentioned he’s a successful businessman and he embodies it. He’s very handsome, tall and well dressed. His expression is very serious until he settles in. The mask seems to dissolve and his smile comes out to play. His eyes find Elena first and there’s something in them I can’t quite read, though their embrace seems friendly, it’s tender. He smiles at Mrs. Park and envelops her in a kind hug leaving a peck on her cheek. He greets Henry with a wide smile and a hug and they speak for a moment, before he searches for me. When he strides over, his serious expression returns.

Hoping to loosen him up, I speak first. “You must be Alex.”

“And you must be Selah. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.” A smile peeks out from his lips and I feel successful.

“I was happy to hear from you. I texted him and he didn’t respond, which is normal on this day, but I was thinking of him.”

“Thanks for coming. He said he hates his birthday and refused to tell me when it was. His parents came over to surprise him and I hoped he might want to celebrate if everyone was here.

“He usually isolates or immerses himself in work, so I’m not surprised he didn’t even tell you when his birthday was.” Alex pauses. “You can vouch for this, Elena. Grey used to love his birthday.”

She chimes, “Yeah. He wasn’t into big parties, but he loved to go to dinner and never got mad at us whenever we told the waiter it was his birthday.”

“Man, have you ever met someone who didn’t hate the entire restaurant staff singing them the birthday song?” he asks.

“Do you think he’s going to be angry with me?”

Alex shakes his head and says, “Nah. I don’t think he’s going to be upset. This is exactly how he liked to celebrate before. We’ve all tried to get him out of the house on this day for years, but maybe bringing the party to him is best.”

I won’t ask, but I wonder what changed everything for him.

Elena adds, “You’re learning to cook Korean dishes and brought us together to share a meal. Him getting angry is the least of your worries. I think you’ve created a recipe for Greyson to fall in love with you.”

My eyes widen, and I giggle nervously.

She winces and lowers her voice. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to–”

“It’s okay,” I interrupt.

I excuse myself to dash to the bathroom for a moment alone. Love, a word that holds a tremendous amount of weight. A word that makes me want to run far from it. It’s different when my friends and family say it to me. That other kind of love though? I’ve felt for boyfriends in the past, but it’s never been reciprocated. After Jourdan, I wondered if I’d ever fall in love again. Or even trust someone to catch me next time. I’ve grown comfortable with the idea that it just isn’t not attainable for me. Though Elena’s words replay in my mind as I sit on the side of the tub contemplating.

You’ve created a recipe for Greyson to fall in love with you.

That’s not what I was trying to do. At least, I don’t think so. I mean, would it be so bad if Greyson were to fall for me? Yes, because he deserves someone who can love him back. The last time I loved someone, it consumed me. I hyper focused on it, so much that I hadn’t even noticed it wasn’t mutual. The last time I loved someone, I mistook his attentiveness for adoration. He studied me with a goal to manipulate and abuse. I was nothing but a target. The last time I loved someone, it swallowed me whole. I fear that my heart won’t recover from the damage it’s endured. I desperately wish that I was someone who could slap a band-aid on my wounds and push forward, but I’m not. I need recovery time.

That’s it. I’m overthinking and I need to just relax. Elena meant no harm by her comment and it’s not like Grey said it himself. We established rules and falling in love is against them. We have an understanding and everything has been perfect so far. Why would it stop now? If he did break the rule, he’d tell me, right? And if I broke the rule and fell for him, I would know right? Shit. I’m doing it again. I need to get out of my head. We’re going to have a great dinner together and Greyson is going to be pleased. I look myself over in the mirror before I head back out there.

I exit the bathroom with slow steps, wringing my hands as I return to the kitchen. Mrs. Park turns around with a warm smile.

“We’re almost done, so I’m going to call them,” she says, exiting the kitchen.

When she returns, she announces, “They’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

I can hear my heart beating in my ears and as if Mrs. Park can sense my nerves, she comes up beside me and gives my arm a gentle squeeze. When I meet her gaze, she’s holding a bottle of Riesling. A silent offering.

“Yes, please.”