Page 110 of Elevator Pitch

“Eomma!?1 appa!?2 ??, ??.” I shout, jumping up from my seat.

I meet them in the entryway, and Mom practically knocks me down when she launches herself into my arms. My dad chuckles softly as I scoop her up into a hug.

“You look good son,” he adds gruffly.

“Thanks. You too.”

She pecks my cheek and whisper-yells, “She’s pretty! You haven’t mentioned her!”

I set her back on her feet, placing my hands on each of her shoulders and giving her a look of warning. Her mischievous grin challenges me and I know I’ve lost this battle before it’s even begun.

I just wanted to be alone with her today.

I step back and my mother breezes right past me, beelining for Selah. Whose anxiety is apparent because her back is to me and she’s busying herself washing dishes.

Please don’t scare her off.

“And who might you be?” Mom asks playfully and grabs a towel to help Selah.

I know she means to be welcoming, but she’s alreadyanxious. I’m already dreading this interaction and it just started. You don’t usually meet the parents at whatever fucking stage we’re at.

“Um, I’m Selah. Grey’s…neighbor.”

I watch this encounter and raise a brow at her response.

Neighbor?

Well, she didn’t lie, but I don’t like the sound of it.

What we did this morning was far from neighborly.

“It’s nice to meet you, Selah. I’m Greyson’s mom. Excuse my excitement, I just haven’t seen my son with a woman in a while,” she says with a warm smile.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Park,” she says nervously and shakes her hand, wrapping her left hand around her wrist.

I wrinkle my brow at her doing the handshake properly and as if she can read my mind, Mom whips her head toward me with an astonished look.

I recall shaking Selah mom’s hand the same way when we met, and I guess she remembered. Surely, if I knew they were coming I could’ve prepared her, but she’s doing great.

Selah looks over her shoulder with an apologetic stare and I shake my head in response. She chews on her bottom lip and resumes her conversation with my mom. My dad clears his throat, regaining my focus. He wears a knowing look while petting Clifford’s head.

“You could’ve told me you were coming.” He pats my shoulder. “Adeul ???3, we haven’t seen you since Lunar New Year and you haven’t been calling as much. I couldn’t risk calling and you disappearing. This was our best chance. Your mom missed you.Wemiss you.”

“I miss you too, appa ??.”

“It doesn’t seem like it. Take these groceries. I want to sit down,” he grumbles.

I take the bags from him and step towards the kitchen. Hestrides halfway to the living room then changes direction, nearly running into me as he heads toward Selah. I roll my eyes and take a deep breath.

Please don’t embarrass me in front of her.

My mom whips her head around and grins.

“Yeobo ???4, This is Greyson’sneighbor, Selah. Isn’t she lovely?”

I don’t miss the emphasis she puts on neighbor. It’s subtle, but intentional.

“She is. It’s nice to meet you,” he says and bows his head and gives her a handshake.

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