Elevator Pitch

by Evelyn Leigh

Reading romance is amazing, but eventually, you start to wonder if your main character moment will ever come along. I can’t be the only one who feels that way.

“I’m not deterred by anything ‘nasty,’ if anything, I’m more intrigued.”

So, she’s bashful yet watches me eat as if she imagines something else on my tongue.

His gaze feels like the warm sun on my skin on a spring morning. I want nothing more than to bask in it. When I return his gaze, he doesn’t shy away. He studies my body language like his desire is to become fluent.

“You want to buy me smut books?” “Yes.” “Paperback or hardcover?” “Anything you fucking want.”

Pinochle once equals bad. Pinochle three times equals good. That’s easy to remember. Not that I’ll be finding out just how good of a neighbor Greyson is anyway. I’ve dreamt about it a time or two though.

“I came bearing gifts and truthfully, if I knew that’s what you were doing on the other side of this door...it sounds to me like you summoned the right man for the job.”

“I know you’re dating, and there may be other worthy candidates. I’d like to request a trial run or…a taste test to prove myself?” It’s safe to say the golden retriever has left the building.

“Ask me if you can come, Selah.” Boy bye. He must be joking.

“You still refuse to call me Grey and until you admit that you’re a dirty fucking girl. My dirty fucking girl, you won’t.” I try to ignore how good “my dirty fucking girl” sounds on his lips.

Then again, I haven’t had many partners, and if sex is supposed to be anything like what Greyson did to me, then I’m convinced I haven’t fucked anyone before him, and I’d like to be compensated for my wasted time.

“Selah, are you calling me a book boyfriend? That’s a hell of a compliment.”

It’s simple, really, if you want me to talk, bring up music or romance books.

It’s exhausting pretending to be neurotypical in public settings, but masking is a part of my daily routine at this point. At home, it’s a different story.

It feels like when you were a kid playing by yourself on the playground then another kid walked up randomly and started playing with you. They might not have said much at first, but they chose you and from that day on you never had to play alone. We used to make friends that way. Some of us still do. I know I still do.

Do I sympathize with social people? No, because they don’t sympathize with us.

kept telling them I’d get around to doing it eventually, but I kept forgetting honestly and while I kept buying books, I got used to stacking them and going about my day. I love my e-reader and use it daily, but it didn’t prevent me from buying more physical books.

I’m guilty of this too lol

Consider this collateral. I’ll be hearing from you soon, Sunflower. :)

Don’t take my books w/o asking… but this was cute

“I don’t know. He hasn’t done anything that makes me think he isn’t genuine. In fact, he’s awfully pleasant for a man who fucks like that. It’s hard to believe he’d be interested in something casual like I am,” I sigh.

I can’t be alone in this because she intentionally riled me up. It was wrong to send her off with wet panties, but she shouldn’t be on a

date anyway.

I’ve kissed before, but it’s never been like this. I’m hungry for her, and I’ve been starving for weeks, desperate for her taste and attention, willing to take anything she’ll offer.

“I should gag you with these for teasing me while I’m driving. I’d like to get you home in one piece before you fall apart.”

“I’m easily impressed by fictional men. Real ones must work much harder for my time.”

“You have plans tomorrow, Selah?” I shake my head, unsure of why he’s asking that now. “Good. ‘Cause you’re about to be up all night.”

He collapses beside me and I roll onto my side with a devious grin as I suck my arousal off my fingers, holding eye contact. He rips my hand away and places it in his mouth. He’s so fucking sexy. Shit.

Women get fucked like this in books, and men only talk like that in them. What woman wrote Grey? I’d like to thank her for her service.

her! Is it serious?” Thinking about how I’m about to ask her to stop going on dates AND exclusively sleep with me, I’d very well like to think it’s somewhat serious.

“There’s a bug going around that prevents you

from lifting a finger. It’s serious, and I’m afraid there’s no cure.” He shakes his head in concern. “You’ve been showing symptoms, so I’m just going to have to take care of you.”

The woman I became was unlike me in every way. I was led by pleasure, attuned to my body’s needs and desires. Hell, I even felt safe enough to submit to him.

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 respected my ‘no sleepovers’ rule though and didn’t stay the night. Though I’ll admit when I woke up and he wasn’t there, I missed his warmth. What does that mean?”

“Girl, it means you like him. More than you’re telling yourself you do. That man isn’t just ‘neighborly’ as you keep saying and you know it.”

I’m not a guy worth staying for and I’m sure she knows this already. We have all these rules in place for a reason. We’re just enjoying the ride until we get off on the last stop. If that happens on Monday, at least I’ve been through it once before.

Note to self: Order silk pillowcases and a bonnet for her to keep here.

I am a flower in need, leaning toward her light and quenching my thirst with her juices. Feasting my eyes on her beauty, I am a grateful witness to how her body responds to me.

“How do I look at her?” “Like if you blink, she’ll disappear. You look at her like you’ve found the peace you’ve been looking for all this time.”

“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.”

“Make a wish, Grey.” I close my eyes and blow out the candles. I wish she was mine.

“Baby, when you fall in love, you have no control over it. You can lay down a thousand ground rules, but if your heart wants that man, those rules won’t stop shit. You hear me, Selah?”

“I understand why love feels like a threat to the life you’ve worked so hard to create for yourself, but it doesn’t have to be. Nobody in those books you read is ever prepared for the love that knocks on their door, either.

I hate that there’s no estimated timeline of when I’ll feel better. There’s no handbook to healing but if there was, I’d flip to the fucking end pages and find the answer key.

He’s discovered every zone and magical button to drive me wild. I don’t need anybody, but when Greyson is present, I need him. His

Her heart is safer if we keep things the way they are, but mine isn’t. I can’t be the only one feeling a greater pull between us, but I will be the first to acknowledge it. I plan to tell her sooner than later. She doesn’t have to say it back, I’ll gladly love her until she catches up.

I’m a better man now because I want to be. I haven’t loved anyone since my divorce. You might not know what love feels like, but I do. I want to love you. I want to give you everything you deserve. You can’t believe any of that about yourself. I don’t handle you with care? You’re going to say that you had no idea I felt more? I love you so fucking much, Selah.”

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.

He’s unaware of how much I miss his smile and laugh. Or the warmth of his hand. He’s unaware that he sends my anxiety running with its tail between its legs as if there’s no room for that when he’s present. He’s unaware that my insecurities melt away underneath his gaze. He’s unaware that when he’s in a room with me, no one else exists. My life without Grey is lackluster, and he doesn’t even know it.

As long as I’m alive, you’ll never hide in the shade again, so get used to being in the light, Sunflower.”