Page 25 of Beyond the Spotlight Discreet Version
Eloise giggles. “Kelly scowled just like they’re doing now, and I took out my phone—since I’d already put away my camera—and started taking pictures.”
“I hate getting my picture taken.” Kelly’s scowl deepens.
“They said, ‘you better delete that photo.’ And I said, ‘make me.’” Eloise waves the fork in her hand around as she speaks. “After some arguing back and forth, I said, ‘I’ll tell you what; you play Bad Bunny and I’ll delete the photo.’”
“I played Bad Bunny,” Kelly finishes the story with a face splitting grin.
“And I didn’t delete the photo,” Eloise says, smirking. “We flirted all night and have been together ever since.”
“That’s so sweet,” Savannah says, her hand over her chest as if the story was too much for her heart to take. “I was supposed to go to Ginger’s wedding. We worked together at Lilies Bar and Grill in Silo Springs. I couldn’t make it, though.”
“Didn’t Lana pay for everyone’s tickets and rooms?” Eloise asks.
“Yeah,” Savannah answers. “It’s a long story.”
I want to ask if it’s because of her ex, but she would tell us if she wanted us to know. So, I keep my mouth shut, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.
Savannah’s leg brushes against mine and it’s not the first time it’s happened tonight. I desperately want to grab it and run my palm up and down her thigh. I can’t stop thinking about touching her, which I want to do all the time.
I tune out Eloise talking about upcoming photo shoots for fashion magazines and watch Savannah as she listens intently. She smiles and nods and asks questions when appropriate. She truly cares about my friends’ lives.
Kelly speaks next, talking about auditioning for a DJ’ing residency at One Note SoHo, a high-profile club where the rich and famous frequent. A club I’ve been to with Mylan and Jensen. I remember that night. Mylan had just lost a role in a movie because of his addiction, and he’d gone out to drown his sorrows in booze and drugs. I met him and Jensen there, but I didn’t stay long because I had an early flight the next morning. I left before Mylan lost control.
He’s been sober for five years now. This movie I’m about to film with him is his first role since he left acting to recover. It’s my first role since leaving to take care of Adeline. We can help each other during filming—support each other and bond. We’re still working to rebuild the friendship that was fractured because of our busy lives and tragic life happenings.
I’m pulled from my thoughts by Adeline’s excited voice. She’s made her way into Savannah’s lap and is rambling on about preschool and the friends she’s making. She talks about recess and art and learning French. It’s a posh preschool that teaches five-year-olds different languages. She also wants to enroll in violin lessons. She talks about more things that all merge as her excitement to share her life with this woman grows.
My chest tightens and my throat aches as I watch them together. Adeline didn’t grow up with a motherly figure in her life. She had no one to connect with, aside from me and the part-time nanny who was only around for a few hours a week.
I sheltered her life mostly from the media, but also because I didn’t want to confuse her. I didn’t date anyone these past five years because my previous relationships never lasted. I couldn’t bring a woman home to meet her then chance Addy becoming attached.
I’ve been so alone.
Savannah grabs my knee and squeezes, making me jolt. “You okay?” she mouths as Addy continues to babble in her ear.
I smile and nod, and she squeezes my knee one more time before letting go.
This is why Savannah is different. She’s the first person in a long time to see past my fame, which is her least favorite thing about me. She sees the real me, not the one I manufactured for the world.
I check my phone. It’s nearing nine. “Okay, Poppy. It’s time for bed.”
Eloise and Kelly stand, calling it a night and retreating to a guest room.
“I’m not even tired, Dad. Can I please stay up and hang out with Savvy?” Adeline whines, which is immediately followed up with a yawn. She blinks her dark blue eyes, struggling to keep them open.
“I’m tired too, Adeline,” Savannah says. “We’ll hang out tomorrow after you’re done with school. It’s going to be so much fun. We should probably sleep, though, so we’ll have enough energy.”
She fakes a yawn and stretches her arms over her head, which pushes her breasts up high and reveals part of her stomach.
I ignore my cock jumping at the sight.
“Okay,” Addy grumbles and hops off Savannah’s lap.
I lead the grumpy child to her room. She picks out a book about a flying dog for me to read. I only get a couple of pages in before she passes out. I kiss her on the forehead, tuck the blankets under her chin, and return to the kitchen to clean up.
Savannah has already cleared the table, wiped it down, and is now rinsing off the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher.
I open my mouth to protest her help but clamp it shut after remembering her words from earlier. She’s right. Having her here helping with the things I spent five years doing on my own has already lessened my stress. Can she help with my sleepless nights?
