Page 44 of The Spotlight Effect

“You really believe that… Why?” he says, looking at me in my eyes. I struggle but I manage to get out a sentence. For the first time, I realize…

“I don’t think you’d be a hard person to fall in love with.”

“Thank you,” Grayson replies, causing me to smile slightly. Once we near the end Raven and Scarlett let me pick out some things I like to take with me since it is nearing about seven p.m., and I should go. Tomorrow, I do have to record the song and film more scenes on set. I pack up my bag and meet Scarlett at the front door since she and Charlie are taking me home.

“Wait,” Scarlett stops me.

“What is it?” I ask, joining her by the window, looking outside. I look out seeing a StarStruckreporter van up the road a bit. I know a couple other famous people live around here.

“They could be looking for anyone. Models, actors and some other singers that live around here but if we go out now, we are exposed,” Scarlett says, just as two paparazzi people get outside the van. We try to look closer as we see one of her neighbors coming outside. Model Amara Whitlock. She's extremely wealthy and a Victoria’s Secret Angel. She’s also an heiress to her father’s plane company and airline, along with her three brothers. I can’t believe I'm on the same road as her.

There’s no way I’m leaving now.

“Can you ask your mom to stay?” Scarlett asks me.

“Yeah, I’ll let her know,” I say and walk to the side. I mean, I’m twenty, so there’s not much my mom could do, but I want her to know, so I give her a call.

“Hey, Mom,” I say as I hear her answer.

“Lexi, are you okay? Are you on the way back?” she asks.

“I’m fine, Mom, but I’ll be back in the morning because some news vans are outside, and I don’t want to expose their privacy.”

“That is a very mature thing to do for you. We will miss you from movie and game night though but have fun. I will text you about everything.”

“I will try. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you more and don’t do any drugs or get pregnant.”

“Oh my god. Bye, Mom,” I say and hang up. I can’t believe she just said that, how in the hell would I even accomplish that? Getting pregnant at least.

“My mom is cool with me staying,” I tell Scarlett.

“Amazing! I’ll get you some toiletries.” Scarlett hugs me before running upstairs.

“Such an unexpected sleepover,” I hear Grayson say.

“I guess so.” I shrug.

“Where can I sleep? I can take the sofa down here.”

“Not a chance, you can take my room. Come,” Grayson says, and I begin to follow him. He leads me up the floating stairs, which slightly terrifies me because I feel like I am about to fall. Upstairs is a balcony, and along the walls are some photos of them along with framed stage outfits of theirs. As we go farther down the hall, just some art is on the wall here and there.

I count about six doors as we go down and reach a seventh door. Each door is a light wood color with a dark lock on it. Grayson places his thumb on the lock pad, and it turns green, and he opens the door.

Fingerprint locks, smart.

Opening his door, he holds it open for me, and I walk in. This is room is just as large as the one at his dad’s but it’s definitely more lived in. Walking to the right is a large music section with a desk, and behind it is a living room space with a large TV. On both sides of the TV, there is a door. On the left side, there is a wall of hanging guitars and a large sofa that has many pillows, and beside it is a basketball goal. At the back there is a largewindow that expands to the sky, and it has his bed on this platform.

“I can take the sofa in here and you can have the bed if you want,” he says.

“I appreciate it,” I tell him. This is actually very sweet but something about it also makes me flutter inside.

“Knock, knock,” Scarlett says behind us. “I’m just bringing you this essential bag. We pack tour bags like this just in case, so everything is new and unused. I just added some pajamas for you.”

“Thank you so much.” I walk over to her.

“No problem, I’ll leave you two alone now.” Scarlett leaves, closing the door.

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