Steve
Elle, where are you?!
I’m hiding in an alley next to the restaurant.
After I blurted out my feelings, I ran out on him.
And deep down, I guess I knew he’d follow me…
But I’m not in the mood to talk.
Not after I just made an absolute fool of myself.
I press myself against the wall…
The two of us have nothing left to say to each other.
I leave the alley and walk down 1st Avenue in the opposite direction.
My mind is racing over the events of the day.
Regret, hurt, and confusion war within me.
Why did I have to fall for him?
How could everything have gone so wrong so fast?
I freeze at the sound of his voice.
I’m so shocked to hear it…
That his words barely register.
And my heart clenches at the sight of him standing behind me.
Steve gives me a wry smile.
Steve
I wasn’t on a date.
Steve
The girl I was with…
Steve
That’s my sister, Ashley.
I let out a breath as his words sink in.
And then I cover my face with my hands.
I don’t know what else to say.
And I can’t get myself to look at him.
He pries my hands from my face.
Steve
What happened back there, Elle?
Elle
I don’t even know where to start.
Steve
How about at the beginning?
It’s the last thing I want to do…
But after all of my antics today…
I need to tell him the truth.
Elle
I was in your room this morning.
Elle
I wanted to surprise you.
Elle
So I showed up wearing quite the little outfit.
Steve
But…I don’t understand…
Steve
When were you in my room?
Elle
You were in the bathroom and didn’t hear me come in.
Elle
And I…I overheard your conversation on the phone.
Understanding washes over his face.
Steve
Which part did you hear?
So he’ll see how truly remorseful I am.
Elle
I pretty much heard the whole thing.
Elle
You called her your favorite girl…
Elle
And said you were taking her somewhere beautiful.
Elle
By the end of the conversation, I was so confused.
Elle
And then you came out, so I hid under your bed—
There’s laughter in his eyes…
And I guess I should be grateful for that.
Because at least he doesn’t think I’m a psycho.
Elle
Well, I had to hide somewhere!
Elle
I was convinced you were seeing someone else.
Elle
Followed you here and then…
Remembering how agonizing it felt to see him with another girl.
Elle
I planned this whole stupid date with Tom to get back at you.
Feeling too vulnerable to admit the rest.
But Steve isn’t having it.
He reaches out, and threads his fingers through mine.
Steve
Elle, you can tell me anything.
I look down at the ends of my hair…
And then I try my best to be brave.
I look Steve directly in his eyes.
Elle
As more than a friend, or a friend with benefits.
Elle
I know I’m not supposed to.
Elle
I know that’s not what we agreed on…
Elle
But it’s the sad truth.
Elle
I realized it today while I was under your bed.
Steve is quiet after my speech.
In fact, I probably lost his friendship, too.
Who would want to deal with this craziness?
He reaches over and pulls me toward him.
He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear…
And I shiver, getting lost in his eyes.
Steve
You didn’t realize it until this morning?
Steve
I realized I wanted more from you after our first kiss.
Steve
But I didn’t know how to tell you.
Steve
And after what we agreed on…
Steve
I was SCARED to tell you.
Steve
But I’ve been wanting to ask you out on a real date for weeks now.
My heart jolts in my chest.
Steve
But I kept thinking to myself…
Steve
I don’t know the first thing about dating.
Steve
I’d probably just screw everything up.
Steve
So I called my sister and asked her for advice.
Steve
She agreed to help me plan the perfect date.
Steve
Today was supposed to be a test run.
Steve
I wanted to be ready when I took you out.
Steve
To give you the date that you deserve.
My heart soars at his words.
Can he really be feeling what I’m feeling?
Have I finally found what I’ve been looking for this whole time?
I grab his face in both my hands and press my lips to his.
I feel that familiar avalanche of emotion coursing over me.
After a few moments, I pull back and look into his eyes.
Elle
I’m really sorry, Steve.
Elle
Sneaking under your bed, spying on you, making all these assumptions…
Elle
I don’t know how I’ll ever face your sister after this.
Elle
I have no idea what came over me.
Steve
I think I have an idea.
Steve
Probably the same thing that came over me when I saw you with Tom.
He looks away for a second, as if composing himself.
We stand there gazing into each other’s eyes…
And then he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a notebook.
My name is written on the front in permanent marker.
Steve
My sister and I bought a notebook today at a souvenir shop.
Steve
And I spent the afternoon filling it out.
Steve
Your likes and dislikes…
Steve
Your schedule, so I know when not to text you…
And he reaches up to cup my cheek.
Steve
The hundreds of things I like about you.
Steve
And how I’m not worthy of someone as beautiful and honest as you.
Steve
It’s my Elle notebook.
My heart feels like it’s going to pound out of my chest.
I carefully take it from his hands…
Then I glance up at him with glistening eyes.
Elle
This is the most amazing thing anyone’s ever done for me.
Steve
You inspired me to take the leap.
Steve
You showed me that there just may be someone out there for everyone.
Steve
That you’ll be my someone.
Pure joy explodes through my entire body.
I squeeze his hands in mine.
His lips suddenly crush mine…
And we kiss for a long, endless moment.
When he finally pulls back…
Steve
So about that little outfit from before…
Steve
What, exactly, were you wearing?
Elle
Oh, just a slinky little black dress and stilettos.
Steve
Then I say we recreate what happened this morning.
Steve
I promise I’ll act surprised.
And as we walk down 1st Avenue…
I realize I’m as lovesick as ever.
I don’t want to find a cure.
