Page 139 of Elevator Pitch

“Grey? I’m in here,” she says softly.

“Are you alright? What happened?”

She turns the knob revealing a small dressing room, currently being used as an added storage closet. Littered with velvet stools and short benches.

She stands on the other side, peering up at me with red, watery eyes, and I’m surprised to see her makeup intact for the most part. Her petite frame adorns a floor-length pleated gown. Her veil has scattered pearls, and her hair is styled half up, half down, with bangs framing her face and brushed waves flowing to the middle of her back.

“What’s going on?” I ask and she tries to speak but bursts into tears instead.

I close the door behind me, giving her a moment to work through these feelings before getting to the root of the issue. She softly sobs into a tissue and pats at her face before calming her breaths.

“I’m scared to fail at this again. We didn’t work and we were friends atfirst. How do I know I’m not going to do this again to Dan?”

I grab a nearby stool and set it close to her, taking a seat. “We were just kids fresh out of college without a clue. I honestly think if we had waited like our parents wanted us to, we wouldn’t have gotten married at all.”

“I-I think so, too.”

She pats carefully at her face, trying not to ruin her makeup. It will need to be touched up anyway.

She continues, “I’ve been thinking a lot about our marriage lately and where I fell short. I didn’t give you all of me and I let you take the blame with my friends and family. I didn’t haveyour back and you were my best friend. I told everyone it was your fault because that was easier than admitting my shortcomings. I don’t have to question whether you’ve had my back because that’s the kind of man you are. You deserved better than me and I was a coward.

I’m sorry, Greyson. I didn’t fight for you. When shit got tough, I cut and ran. While you were a workaholic, you made efforts to keep things alive and I resisted. I just wanted things to be easy and once they weren’t, I got scared and gave up. I know I didn’t speak up before I filed for divorce. I shouldn’t have blindsided you. I find myself feeling like I’m going to run again when things don’t exactly go my way and he tries hard to compromise with me. I can be very stubborn at times.”

I pretend to be shocked. “That’s news to me.”

She manages a tearful smile. “I have more I’d like to get off my chest. Please?”

I raise my hands in surrender. “The floor is yours. It isyourday.”

“Daniel’s work is extremely demanding, requiring him to be overseas quite often and I don’t always get the attention I’d like, but he prioritizes me. He ensures that I never go a moment feeling unloved. Being alone in the States has taken a toll on me and I’ve decided to split my time here and in London with him, working remotely. I’m going to make sacrifices this time around and stay the course. I don’t want to make the same mistakes.”

I nod, listening attentively. She places her hand over mine.

“I always knew that you loved me, Grey, but it just didn’t feel this way with us. This love fulfills me. It’s overwhelming, yet I crave more. I’m not certain I can handle all the love he has for me, but it feels safe and right. You know? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s okay,” I assure her. “I know exactly what you’re talking about. You and I never had that. Sure, we loved each other, but it wasn’t that once-in-a-lifetime love.”

“Exactly. Quite literally, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to livewithout it and you created something with that beautiful mind of yours that led him to me.SoulBlendhelped me find my person on the other side of the world. I can’t thank you enough for that. Thank you, Grey.” She peers up at me and her eyes well up with tears again.

“Hey. It’s okay, Aileen.”

She sniffs and argues, “No, it’s not okay. I shouldn’t have left you on your birthday. I had wanted to rip off the band aid so badly that it was all I thought about. I hadn’t even known what day it was when we had that conversation, but I’ll never forget it.

By the time I remembered, I was already on the ferry halfway to Jersey and wasn’t sure how to apologize for what I’d done, so I didn’t. It’s no excuse. I’m awful and I don’t even deserve this second chance right now. I really don’t.” She waves her hand out signaling the ceremony.

“Once again, my timing is just immaculate,” she says sarcastically. “I’m so sorry, Grey. I really hope you can someday forgive me, and we can start over, working towards a new friendship. I hate how much I’ve hurt you.”

“I appreciate that. I’d like to take the time to process everything I heard, and I want you to enjoy your day. I too have been dissecting everything I did wrong in our marriage because I am also afraid of making the same mistakes with someone new. You’re not alone with that.” I sigh. “Where’s all this coming from?”

She sniffles, blowing her nose into a tissue.

“Therapy. Daniel insisted on it. We’ve been going for a year. Says he doesn’t want to pass our trauma onto our future children.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Daniel’s a smart man. Now, in case you’ve forgotten, you’re getting married today, and everyone is waiting.”

I grab her hand and help her stand up. She leans forward for a hug, and I wrap her in one. I press a chaste kiss to the top ofher head and as we pull apart, I say, “He’s the one. Let’s get you out of here and in his arms, shall we?”

She smiles, still sniffling, and says, “We shall.”

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