Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

Epilogue

epilogue

Selah

Sandyston, NJ | 3 Months Later

We’ve been driving for two hours, and Grey refuses to tell me where the hell we’re going. I eventually stopped asking and dived into a book, occasionally looking up to enjoy the scenery. This town reminds me of a place not far from where I grew up. Here’s a fun fact: I’ve developed a kink for watching Greyson drive, so I must avert my eyes often. Though I catch him glancing over at me every once in a while, and that spark between us magnifies.

Three months into this real relationship and he hasn’t let up on the surprises, romance or grand gestures. He’s really living up to book boyfriend expectations and I fall deeper in love with him every day. The Hapless In Love Book Club is proud to announce our discovery of not one, but two men restoring faith in the male population, three if you count Eric.

“You’re not taking me out here to bury me, are you? This was fun while it lasted, Grey.”

He scoffs, keeping his focus on the road.

“If I needed to know where to hide a body, I’d ask Audrey.”

“Why would you say that?” I ask, shifting to face him .

“I’m just joking, baby. Though, she did threaten me once. Said if she was wrong about me, she’d make me disappear.”

It’s very likely she said that. She loves a good threat.

“That sounds about right. Sorry,” I say with a wince.

“You don’t need to worry. I plan to make you happy as long as I live. You’re going to be stuck with me for a long time. Is that alright with you?”

“I guess. You’re not so bad. Eric and Aud were right. You really don’t scare easily.”

He chuckles. “Sunflower, I’m from Brooklyn. Ain’t shit for me to be scared of,” he says, leaning over to kiss my forehead. “Ready to find out where we’re going?”

He turns down a long dirt road, and by the looks of it, my fingers are crossed for a cute bed and breakfast. It’s quaint, and there’s miles and miles of farmland. I bet the stars look amazing out here. A good distance down the road, crops come into view, and my breath catches when I spot a sea of familiar yellow petals standing tall.

I don’t need to look at him to know he’s smirking. Once we reach our destination, my heart swells. I’m still staring, slack-jawed, at a sunflower field. I’ve never seen one in person before, and it’s remarkable.

“What are we doing here?”

He tilts my chin and gapes at me. “I want to get photos of my Sunflower during golden hour. Then I have something else planned. Does that sound good?”

I grin from ear to ear. “Of course.”

He drapes his camera around his neck, and we walk through the field in search of the perfect spot. It doesn’t take him long to find it. It’s a hot day, but Greyson will get the shots he needs quickly, if I cooperate.

He tells me where to stand, and I pose with his direction. I love watching him in his element, but today I agreed to be the model and must focus on the task at hand. I admire his concentration, the little way he bites his lip in victory when he takes the perfect shot, and I don’t mind how silly he looks trying to get the best angle. He praises me in front of the camera as he would in the bedroom, and I resist the urge to blush. I swear that I don’t blush, but he’s managed to get it on camera a few times.

The sky looks like cotton candy by the time we’re done, and I could go for a snack. We start walking through the field of sunflowers and a question dawns on me that I’ve never considered before.

“Why do you call me Sunflower?”

He stops in his tracks. “Good question. It’s a long story.”

“Lucky for you, we have a long drive home,” I challenge.

“Fair enough.”

He continues walking with my hand in his.

“Why do you always open my curtains when you come over? Why won’t you let me enjoy the dark?”

“Sunflowers thrive in sunlight,” he says casually.

“W-what do you mean?”

He squeezes my hand while leading the way.

“I like to think I do a pretty good job of keeping you watered, but I’m always open to feedback. While they don’t demand as much attention as you do , they need plenty of sun and room to grow. As long as I’m alive, you’ll never hide in the shade again, so get used to being in the light, Sunflower.”

He turns to me with a teasing smile, and I tug his hand.

“How do you know so much about sunflower care?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he teases.

“I would, actually.”

“I promised myself if I got ahold of another flower, I’d tend to its every need. I’d read every book, provide enough light, and pour back into its soil. If I could prove I was worthy of a beautiful garden, I may be lucky enough to keep it alive. Might even have a family to share it with.”

I’m taken aback by that. We haven’t discussed kids much. I’d love to have a family with him. I’d love to build a life together . I love him .

“I love you,” I croak.

“I love you too, baby. C’mon,” he says, pointing to the SUV that’s now in our view.

We were lucky to find the parking lot without getting lost in all the flowers. He gets me situated, starts the AC, and says he’ll be right back. I take sips from my steel water bottle and sigh in relief as the cool air hits me. His words from moments ago repeat in my mind.

If I could prove I was worthy of a beautiful garden, I may be lucky enough to keep it alive.

I think back on the woman I was three summers ago to now and I don’t even recognize her. I was a prisoner of the storm, desperate for solace. When I escaped, I was armed to the teeth and looking for a fight. A woman weathered, alarmed, and full of rage. Grey and I, we are the balance of opposites. He is a rush of calm after the storm. A place of refuge. When the dust settles, he remains. A strong, resilient hero with open arms who is patient, fearless, and kind. Loving him isn’t a threat to the life I created for myself because he contributes to it. I don’t fight to survive with Greyson because he breathes life into me. I believe it’s mutual. I didn’t lose my independence, and he didn’t give up his success for us to be together. We have both . We just didn’t know that was possible until we found each other.

The locks flick upward and release me from my thoughts when he returns, holding ice cream cones and a sunflower bouquet tucked into his elbow. His smile is contagious, and I’m in awe of him. I roll down the window to free his hands when he disappears to the trunk, returning with blankets he tosses in the backseat. I watch him when he climbs in beside me, smiling softly to himself as he backs out of the spot.

I never know what he has up his sleeve, and I’ve grown to love that about him.

We enjoy our ice cream, getting familiar with dirt roads as the sun sets and darkness creeps in. We’re driving for about thirty minutes when he turns down a short path, seemingly to nowhere, and parks, the road still in view. He hands me a blanket and gets out of the car, rounding to my side. I take his hand when I step outside. We’re beneath a beautiful night sky filled with twinkling stars. I gaze in amazement as my eyes well up.

I love this man so much it hurts sometimes.

“I figured before heading back to the city, we could see the stars. Is that okay?”

“Of course,” I say tearfully. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Sunflower.”

He picks me up and sets me on the hood of his SUV. He joins me, draping the blanket over our legs as we admire the starry skies.

“I have a fun fact for you.”

“Lay it on me.”

“Did you know that you’re the love of my life?”

“I do now,” he says with a smile.

A year ago, an audacious man interrupted me reading on an elevator, and I fell in love with him.