Page 72 of Elevator Pitch

“You texted me.”

“It’s two in the morning there. Did I wake you?”

He ignores that question, responding with one of his own.

“Have you had an orgasm with a partner before?”

I snort. “Geez. Buy me dinner first.”

He counters, “I have. Breakfast too.”

I start cracking up, and he joins me.

After catching his breath, he says, “Seriously, if you’re not comfortable answering, I will stop.”

“It’s okay. You’ve already seen me naked.” I sigh. “It doesn’t happen often with a partner, mostly by myself, whenever I can get out of my own head. And with you, the other day.”

“What do you mean by ‘get out of your own head?’”

“I have a hard time focusing. When my brain is bored with something, it seeks ways to entertain itself at any time. I focus better when my mind feels challenged, but when it doesn’t, I struggle. I could be driving, working, having sex and?—”

He cuts me off. “If you can’t focus, you can’t finish. Like ADHD?”

He finishes my sentence for me, and I gasp.

“Do you have it?”

“No, but my brother does, and he’s going to be a doctor, so he’s laid it out pretty good for me.” He takes a breath. “Why do you think you were able to focus with me?”

“I’m not sure why,” I nearly whisper. “Also, I’m starting to think maybeyou’rethe one with the praise kink.”

“Call me a ‘good girl,’ and I’ll tell you how it makes me feel,” he challenges.

I cackle.This man.

“I’m just making sure I follow you. I won't say it doesn’t feel good to hear that I was able to help because it does. Got any more questions for me?”

I shake my head as if he can see my face.

“Nope.”

“Well, I hope this helped clear your head. You should try to get some sleep.”

“You too. Goodnight, Greyson. Thanks for staying up with me.”

“Anytime, Sunflower. Goodnight.”

31

candor over cake

Greyson

Manhattan, NY | January 9, 2024

I wokeup recounting yesterday’s events where I met Audrey and decide to stop by this Korean bakery to bring her chocolate croissants and fresh cream cake. She’s intense, but I know how much she means to Selah. I’d really like to impress her, so I figure these pastries are a good way to do that.

Once I return to my building, hop on the elevator, tapping button number six, and I feel a bit of anxiety about this. It’s not that I don’t think I’d be good for Selah because I know I could be. I’m just nervous that I scared her off. I fear that I was intense and should’ve waited a while to show her that side of me. I’ve become unapologetic about my sexual preferences since my divorce.

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