Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

70. In Plain Sight

70

in plain sight

Selah

Manhattan, NY | April 27, 2024

The ceremony was beautiful, and Audrey did such an amazing job with this wedding. I know she’s one of the best, but I feel like this one is going to open so many doors for her. There are so many people here. I’ve seen celebrities and politicians. This is huge for her. I know it’s been a stressful year putting it together, but this ballroom looks like heaven on earth.

When Aileen and Daniel arrived at the reception, she had changed into what Greyson had called a hanbok. Hanboks are traditional Korean clothing and are worn for special occasions like weddings, festivals, and funerals. Hanboks are a significant part of the wedding ceremony and can also have symbolic colors and embroidery to represent their wishes for their marriage. He explained to me that Aileen’s is a modern take and was made to look more like a traditional wedding dress.

I loved seeing Greyson and Henry light up whenever they spotted something that was a nod to their culture implemented in the wedding. From the speeches to the food and even the table settings were written in both English and Korean. I noticed Grey getting teary when Daniel was speaking Korean during his vows, and I thought it was so sweet. He said he loves weddings, and he wasn’t kidding. He leaned over to translate for me while wiping tears, and I thought about what it would be like if we were up there in front of everyone saying, ‘I do,’ and it didn’t make me want to run for the hills.

The thought of having Grey as a husband didn’t make me feel uneasy or afraid like before. I glanced at the finger that once held a band of regret and teared up at the possibility that I may not experience that kind of happiness with him because of how recklessly I’ve handled his heart.

After today, we’ve fulfilled our ends of the deal that we’d need a partner for and can go back to not speaking. The smoke of ‘fake dating’ will be cleared, leaving me to face the consequences of my actions. I hate it, but he gave me a chance, and I blew it. ‘Don’t fall in love’ was the number one rule and as angry as I was with him, I’m a hypocrite. I trusted myself not to break it and failed. As much as I hate to say it, my mom was right. I’ll never tell her that, though.

You can lay down a thousand ground rules, but if your heart wants that man, those rules won’t stop shit.

Greyson hasn’t taken his eyes off me all night, and it’s done wonders for my confidence. I’ve also noticed he hasn’t gone very long without holding my hand tonight, and I don’t know what that’s about, but I assume it’s part of the game we’re playing. I like it, but the voice in my head keeps reminding me that it isn’t real, even though I’d rather enjoy it while it lasts than not experience it at all.

We sit back at the table for a moment with Alex while Henry is on the dance floor, flirting with some girls and having a good time. Alex keeps watching Greyson suspiciously, and I’m not sure what’s going on between them, but I’m curious. The DJ has been doing requests for a while, so I don’t think anything of it until I hear him say, “This one goes out to Greyson and Selah.”

Alex raises his brows and starts chuckling to himself. I realize now this is what he was waiting for. Greyson waves him off and asks me to dance as Allen Stone’s Give You Blue comes on. He takes my hand in his and guides me to the dance floor. I know everyone is watching, but I don’t care if he doesn’t. Other couples resume dancing, and new ones gather beside us. Even Elena drags Alex from his seat to dance with her, and now we’re the ones chuckling. He cleverly flips us off out of her view before shifting his focus back on her. Grey holds me close and takes his free hand in mine as he leads me across the floor. I follow his footing and keep a steady rhythm, forgetting about the others around us as we enjoy this moment. Our moment.

His gaze never wavers and sends chills through me. I used to complain about the intensity of his stare. It was unfamiliar. It’s jarring to encounter eyes that see you clearly after years of successfully hiding in plain sight. I don’t want to go back into hiding. I don’t ever want to love someone who can’t see me again.

I can’t trust myself not to cry, so I nestle my face into his chest. I inhale his scent out of fear that I’m running out of time to enjoy it. The lyrics of this song he dedicated to me are a vow to love someone as much as humanly possible, and I can’t decipher that right now. I can’t tell what’s real or fake. I don’t even remember what’s part of our arrangement, and I made the fucking rules.

All I know is that I am hopelessly in love with Greyson Park.

I have no idea if he’d give me another chance and it’s absolutely terrifying.

When the song ends, and another follows, we mindlessly sway to the music. As if he could sense the impending war in my mind, he whispers my name to free me of my thoughts. I take a deep breath as I peer up at him, meeting his adoring gaze. He dusts his thumb over my knuckles to ease me. A silent reminder that screams, ‘ you’re not alone .’ Our eyes are locked when he leans in to claim my lips. His grip on my lower back ignites me, and I wonder if heat sears his skin with my every touch, too. When we draw back, he parts his lips to speak but is interrupted by the DJ making an announcement about the cake cutting.

We shower the newlyweds with flower petals as they exit the venue. The crowd has dwindled by this time of night. Daniel opens the passenger door and helps her in with her fluffy gown. She elegantly waves to everyone from the window as he gets in the driver's side. When they pull away, a Meet the Kline’s sign decorates the rear of the vintage car. We’re walking side by side into the venue, and when I peer over at Greyson, he’s observing me with an unreadable expression.

“Do you hate me?” I ask, breaking the silence.

“Quite the opposite, actually.”

I take a deep breath and recall everything Dr. Garnett and I discussed. I stop in my tracks and turn towards him.

“Look, I wanted to say I’m s?—”

“Not tonight,” he cuts me off.

Before I can think of a response, he crowds me, leaning down to press his forehead against mine. He stares into me with hunger and devastation.

“Are you ready for the night to end?”

“No,” I whisper.

He hesitates. “Do you want to play pretend a while longer?”

Tears fill my eyes, and I swallow. “Please,” I plead.

“Okay. I’ll get us a room,” he says, kissing my forehead .

He takes my hand while we wait for the elevator. Eager to be alone and play our roles when no one is watching. Desperately clinging to the fantasy that lives within these walls to avoid our harsh reality. The blanket of the moon provides comfort, whereas the exposure of the sun withholds it. We are vulnerable in the light and resilient in the dark.

The sun will rise and shed light on my flaws, demanding accountability. Tomorrow is a day of reckoning, while tonight is make-believe, and we will revel in it. I hope he’ll never forget me. I could never forget him. The doors open, and I tighten my grip on his hand.

We’re holding on for just a little while longer.