Page 81 of The Spotlight Effect

“Pull up to the next window.” I pull forward to the pay window and take out my wallet so I can pay.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” I reply to Alexia, acknowledging that I heard her.

I pay and move up to the next window and get our food quickly before the worker can recognize who I am. I love my fans but today is about Alexia.

“Now will you tell me where we are going?”

“Will you type in this box what your favorite snacks are?”

Alexia groans and takes my phone and does it. I’m having her favorite snacks delivered to the recording studio so when we get there everything is ready and perfect. “Here. Now spill,” she says, handing me back my phone. I pull over to the side so I can get the food plates out of my hands. I hand her hers and I sit mine in my lap.

“I’m taking you to release your feelings,” I answer.

“That doesn’t tell me where we’re going,” she replies, picking up a fry.

“Yes, it does, if you know what you do when you want to release your feelings,” I say and leave her to ponder on the thought. I take my cup out the tray and sit it in the cup holder and begin to back up.

We’re only about fifteen minutes from Golden Star at this point, so it shouldn't take long to get there with the grace oftraffic and eat our food, and then I can watch Alexia sing her angelic heart out.

This will be a great day.

The best day.

I’m making it a great dayfor her.

And maybe soon we can figure out what we are or want to become.

I round the parking lot of Golden Star, finding the perfect place to park and finally sit back. My heart is beating out of my chest as I look over at her. She has her hair in a low ponytail as she wears blue sparkly shorts and a jacket that looks very familiar. “Where did you get that?” I ask, reaching over and lifting the corner of the shoulder.

I’ve seen that jacket before. It feels like only months ago. It almost looks like mine.

She looks like mine in it.

“Oh, um… I won it in a giveaway on Instagram a few months ago. It’s yours, actually. Signed by you.” I knew it! I slightly laugh at her smirking response. It feels warming knowing she’s had a piece of me for months. That something that’s been wrapped around me has been wrapped around her.

She chose to enter that giveaway.

She chose me

“I knew you were obsessed with me.” I smirk. Alexia scoffs and I can just feel the energy of her rolling her eyes.

“You wish, Popstar,” she says.

“You know you have to be really cocky to say that.”

“Maybe I am.” I shrug. I adjust myself in my seat so I can eat.

“We will go inside once we eat,” I tell her.

“And why? How do you even know you’re my type?” She’s trying to be sassy. Which I get; maybe I was cocky, and maybe I could have responded differently.

“Darling, I’m everyone’s type.” I briefly look over at her before turning back to my food.

She huffs and doesn't speak any lower. I eat and she roughly types on her phone.

“Hey, are you done with your food?” Alexia turns to and gathers all her trash into her little tray it came in.

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