Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

69. Nobody Gets Me

69

nobody gets me

Greyson

Manhattan, NY | April 27, 2024

I stepped outside to talk with Eric and assure him that while walking around with the hiding bride didn’t look good, I was innocent. I’d never dream of hurting Selah, and I made that clear. I’m relieved we had the conversation, and it was needed, but the timing was not good. I’ve been trying to discuss this for a long time, but then I think about my father and how long it took him to share it with me. I know she’s been making changes in her life just as I have and that it takes time.

In the middle of our conversation, I’m surprised to see Eric pull a joint from his breast pocket. He mentioned that Audrey was stressing him out and he should be able to relax since it was the weekend, but since there was the possibility of a code purple, the chances were slim. I recall her talking about a code purple on her headset earlier.

We won’t have another code purple. You have my word.

I learned a code purple is rare and was named that for bruising. At least three times, Audrey has either threatened or incited violence at a wedding or event she hosted. The last time this occurred, it was shortly after he’d been hired. I’m curious to learn more about this, but I gotta get back to Selah. I’ve been gone long enough. I was able to convince Eric not to smoke before the ceremony so that we didn’t smell like it. I encouraged it during the reception instead because there would at least be food, and everyone would be too drunk to notice if we were high. He loved this idea and suggested that we were already at a hotel and didn’t have to drive home because his boss owns the place. Smart man.

I wonder if Selah wants to stay at the hotel. We could play pretend for the whole weekend instead.

It’s worth a shot.

I walk back into the venue, and all eyes are on me as I stride back to my row. I resume my seat between Henry and Selah, who is doing just fine.

I reach for her hand out of habit, but she squeezes it and holds on. I smile at the familiarity, staring at our joined hands.

“Oh, babe. Elena’s thinking of joining my book club,” she says, regaining my focus.

I’m caught off guard by her calling me babe, but I like it.

I remind myself we’re playing our roles, even in front of my friends and Henry, who already know everything.

“I think that’s a great idea. You’ll love the girls, and it’s an excuse to give yourself a night off when there’s a meeting,” I say to Elena.

“Sounds good to me. I like having a valid excuse to take a night off. It makes me feel less guilty about taking a break,” she adds.

That sounds very familiar.

Before I can respond, the band changes songs, and we all stand for the bride. Then, Aileen and her father appear through the doors, and the crowd gasps when they see her in her wedding dress. I instantly recognize the song and smile at the familiarity. Young And Beautiful by Lana Del Rey . A thread of the woman from before stitched into this new life. She’s all put together again. There’s not a hair out of place or a tear in sight. The floor-length veil is carried behind her as she walks down the aisle on her father’s arm.

Daniel cries as she slowly approaches the altar to be given away. I never doubted how much he loved her but seeing that was a reminder that he really sees her. The band stops playing when she reaches Daniel, who helps her onto the platform. He lifts her veil, and she wears a soft smile. The officiant begins their opening remarks, and we settle in for the ceremony. I wrap my arm around Selah, bringing her closer to me. She hums at my touch, and Elena’s eyes track my movement, giving me a knowing look. She then taps Alex, who glances over at us with a similar expression.

They exchange their heartfelt vows, and I’m surprised to hear Daniel speaking Korean by the end of his. My eyes were dry until then. I squeeze Selah’s hand as we sit through the rest of the ceremony and for today, I embrace this fantasy. I can imagine what it’d be like to stand before our loved ones and for her to say yes to me. If only for today, I’ll cherish it.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the officiant says.

The crowd stands, erupting in cheers and applause as Daniel dips Aileen into a passionate kiss fit for a movie ending. Their photographer quickly captures the moment before it ends, and I can guarantee that’s the shot that’ll be plastered all over the papers next week. It’s a damn good one, too.

The recessional begins as the guests stand up to snap pictures and videos of the couple before they head out. They exit down the aisle hand in hand while their photographer is in place at the opposite end to snap the final moments of the ceremony. They really are a beautiful couple, and I’m excited to see these finished photos. They hired one of the best photographers in the country for this wedding, and I’m such a geek about all their equipment.

I look over at Selah, and she’s eyeing me closely.

“You’re salivating over that camera, aren’t you?”

I could kiss her right now just for noticing.

“Is it that obvious? ”

“Everything is obvious when you’re paying attention,” she adds.

I lean down and take her lips in a sweet kiss. She smiles and grabs my hand as we walk across the room to join Henry and my friends at our table for cocktail hour. I could get used to this. Her words replay in my head as I try to remind myself that she’s just in character, but no one is in earshot.

Everything is obvious when you’re paying attention.