Spotlight Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Introduction

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Spotlight

  By

  Krista Richmond

  First published by The Writer’s Coffee Shop, 2014

  Copyright © Krista Richmond, 2014

  The right of Krista Richmond to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000

  This work is copyrighted. All rights are reserved. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  All characters and events in this book—even those sharing the same name as (or based upon) real people—are entirely fictional. No person, brand or corporation mentioned in this book should be taken to have endorsed this book nor should the events surrounding them be considered in any way factual.

  This book is a work of fiction and should be read as such.

  The Writer’s Coffee Shop

  (Australia) PO Box 447 Cherrybrook NSW 2126

  (USA) PO Box 2116 Waxahachie TX 75168

  Paperback ISBN- 978-1-61213-242-6

  E-book ISBN- 978-1-61213-243-3

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the US Congress Library.

  Cover image by: © EDHAR / Shutterstock.com,

  © Yuganov Konstantin / Shutterstock.com

  Cover design by: Jennifer McGuire

  www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/krichmond

  To my favorite actors—

  for inspiring so many (including me!),

  for sharing your talents,

  and for putting up with the glare of the spotlight.

  “I’m tired of rumors starting.

  I’m sick of being followed.

  I’m tired of people lying,

  Saying what they want about me.”

  – Rumors, Lindsay Lohan

  “Would you be so into me,

  If I wasn’t a celebrity?”

  – Celebrity, *NSYNC

  Chapter One

  Lily Richards’ alarm startled her out of restful sleep at five thirty on a Saturday morning. She swatted at the snooze button with one bright, blue eye open and then flopped back on her pillow, her black hair spilling around her like a halo.

  Despite the early hour, there was already a smile on her face.

  This was the day she was going to see Daniel Brighton.

  In person.

  On stage.

  In fourteen hours.

  Not that she was counting.

  Sitting up, Lily threw the covers off and sprang out of bed. She may or may not have done a little dance on the way to the shower, but she refused to be reduced to squealing—even for the Sexiest Man Alive.

  It was only a few weeks ago that Lily and her two closest friends had toasted the end of their favorite television show. And the end of seeing their favorite actor on a weekly basis. They had even thrown a mini farewell party, knowing it might be a while before he appeared in anything new.

  People Magazine didn’t count. (Although, it was exciting that he was one of the youngest actors to ever make the cover. Not to mention one of the few television stars.)

  In My Life had been a cult hit at best. It never achieved the highest ratings in its Wednesday night time slot or received any Emmy nods. By the end of the first season, the network wanted to can it due to lackluster ratings, but when it failed to appear on the lineups at the upfronts, fans of the show took it upon themselves to let the network know just how much they wanted it on the air.

  Lily was one of those fans. She had started watching In My Life on a whim, and it so captivated her attention that she found herself telling Colette, a fellow writer she met when she started her job the Nashville News-Journal, all about it the next morning. It didn’t take long for the two of them to hook Maggie, a local psychologist who had been Lily’s best friend since high school, on the show as well.

  The story lines were interesting. The writing was excellent. The acting was brilliant. The production values were beyond reproach. Which all earned the show a devoted following.

  And Daniel Brighton bore the brunt of that devotion.

  It was his character who drove the show. His leading-man good looks—and acting skills—earned him thousands of dedicated fans while portraying Preston Ainsley, the eldest son of a prominent Charleston, South Carolina family. In particular, it was his character’s relationship with a long-time girlfriend that fascinated viewers during the show’s three seasons. Their families were rivals, and the writers dedicated countless episodes to the obstacles they faced.

  With the show, and Preston, now behind him, Daniel Brighton had taken a part for the summer in the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream before starting his next role. Lily and Colette—naturally—made plans to go see it, since Montgomery wasn’t that far away.

  At six forty-five on the dot, Lily arrived at Colette’s apartment with an extra Starbucks white chocolate mocha in hand.

  “Colette! Are you ready?” Lily asked as she knocked.

  “Yeah,” Colette replied, opening the door. “Give me just a sec.”

  “Sure. I brought you coffee. I thought you could use it. And it’s a small thank you for coming on this trip.”

  “Thank goodness,” Colette said before taking a much-needed sip. “This had better keep me awake on this long drive.”

  Lily snickered. “Don’t give me that. Montgomery isn’t that far from Nashville, and you want to see this play every bit as much as I do.”

  Colette rolled her eyes, taking another drink of her coffee. “Okay, you’re right. Let’s get this show on the road!”

  Lily tapped her fingers on her steering wheel thoughtfully as she merged onto the interstate. “You know, it seems strange that In My Life won’t be back in a couple of months.”

  Colette nodded. “Yeah, it does. I still can’t believe that it’s over—and that it ended like that!”

  Lily grinned. She thought the ending had been perfect.

  “Well,” she said, “I wanted to see the white dress, too, and Preston in a tux. But the proposal was perfect. If only real life were like that.”

  “That’s so true,” Colette agreed. “But as much as I loved Preston and Nina as a couple, I think I’ll miss Grayson the most.”

  Grayson Ainsley was Preston’s baby brother and had always been a bit of a free spirit. He believed in living life to the fullest. And to him, that included partying until the early morning. He felt most comfortable on the dance floor at a rave. That was his secret identity—the one only his siblings and closest friends knew. Things calmed when he told Preston and their sister, Avery, he was gay during his s
enior year of high school. As the show ended, Grayson graduated from Brown University with a degree in creative writing.

  Lily stole a quick glance at Colette. “Is it weird to say that I learned a lot from Grayson?”

  “Not at all! I think that was the point.”

  Lily nodded, knowing that a majority of people—women, in particular—only tuned in to watch beautiful people wearing beautiful things while running around beautiful places. But she had always seen past that. The struggles the Ainsleys faced were no different from the struggles of any other family, and that was what appealed to Lily, Colette, and Maggie.

  Colette settled further into the passenger seat. “I wonder what’s going to happen to the fandom now that it’s over.”

  Lily sighed. “I don’t know. My guess is that it’ll become all about Daniel. Those who were in it for the show will probably drift away after the final season DVDs are released.”

  “True. You think the ‘DanFans’ will make a big showing during the play?”

  Lily rolled her eyes. “Of course they will. Just wait until tonight—you’ll see.”

  Lily and Colette were early for the play, arriving at the theater forty-five minutes before curtain. Lily didn’t want to miss any of the experience. The gift shop was open, so they walked off energy and excitement among the posters and trinkets. Lily wanted something to remember her first time seeing Daniel Brighton in person, so she added to her Shakespeare collection with a book of the play and also purchased a magnet depicting the theater for her refrigerator.

  At twenty minutes to curtain, they walked through the Merlot-colored velvet curtains into the theater. Row D. Seats 109 and 111.

  “Oh. My. God,” Lily said when they were settled. Her eyes, wide with disbelief, darted back and forth between Colette and the stage. “Four rows. Four rows! I’m going to be, like, ten feet from Daniel Brighton.”

  “I know,” Colette responded, anticipation bubbling in her voice. “I can’t believe these seats are so good!”

  While Lily tried to calm herself, the theater filled with an audience as diverse as the characters flowing from Shakespeare’s quill.

  There were the kings and queens wearing their richly colored jewels and finest robes—the patrons of the festival who donated their extensive fortunes to fund this tiny oasis of culture.

  There were the middle-class nobles—the groundlings and regular gentlemen of Verona who appreciated the luck the fates had bestowed on them so that they could see this production.

  And then there were the court jesters—the love-struck Juliets reduced to giggles at the mere thought of the Romeo about to take the stage.

  Lily and Colette sat among these jesters. Whispers of Daniel’s name wafted through the auditorium like the light fog billowing from a machine somewhere backstage. Lily turned and looked at the crowd behind her. Glassy eyes and permanent grins gave away the true fangirls.

  “I think we’re surrounded,” she whispered conspiratorially.

  “Yeah,” Colette agreed with a small laugh. “I had no idea this many people would be here just to see Daniel Brighton.”

  “I figured there would be quite a few people here for him, but I didn’t think it would be most of the audience. I wonder if it has been like this every night,” Lily said.

  Colette’s elbow gently poked Lily’s ribs. When Lily looked over, Colette subtly motioned to her left, wanting Lily to catch the conversation of the three girls sitting next to her.

  “Do you think he’ll do any pictures or autographs afterward?” Fangirl One asked.

  “I don’t know,” Fangirl Two replied. “My friend went to three shows last weekend and tried to get autographs. She said he was a total asshole and wouldn’t stop to sign anything.”

  The third fangirl spoke up. “Well, maybe he was just tired. How many shows are they doing a week?”

  Fangirl Two shrugged. “Should that matter? People spend a lot of money to see him.”

  The third girl began to speak again, but Fangirl One cut her off. “Well, we’re going to the matinee tomorrow before we drive home. If he doesn’t sign tonight, then maybe he’ll do it then.”

  Colette leaned toward Lily and whispered, “Well, there’s your answer.”

  Lily shook her head in disbelief with a soft, “Wow,” under her breath.

  As the lights went down, Lily’s heart began to race. She felt sure everyone could hear it over the soft shuffle of the performers’ stage shoes. The first actor dashed across the stage. The next actress made her entrance, gracefully moving downstage. Lily recognized the third form to appear from the wings before the lights illuminated his face.

  Daniel.

  His long, lean frame was accentuated by a crisp, white linen suit.

  There was something surreal about his presence. Lily missed seeing him on a weekly basis, but she realized right away the stage was where he belonged. He owned it. He commanded it with the same soft subtleties he brought to the small screen—a slightly raised eyebrow pondering a question, a halfhearted smile of defeat, lips curled in with words fighting to escape, and warm brown eyes that revealed the truth behind what was being said.

  Lily hadn’t thought Daniel was limited by the two dimensions of television until she saw him use all three on stage.

  As Daniel’s Lysander proposed to his love, Hermia, Lily was awed by how realistic it seemed. Lily could see him fidgeting with all the nervousness of a man asking that all-important question and then radiating with happiness when the question was answered. When Hermia turned to the audience with her fists in the air, mouthing a silent YES!, the stifled giggles of the fangirls spread throughout the audience. It was their midsummer night’s dream brought to life. And Daniel’s double-edged sword—to be so convincing as an actor that these girls believed they were Hermia, hearing Lysander’s words.

  But alas, the course of true love never did run smooth.

  The first half of the play drew to a close, and Lily fought the urge to write. A column began to take shape in Lily’s mind while Daniel breathed life into Shakespeare’s words. By the time the lights came up for intermission, it was an itch Lily had to scratch. But excitement had clouded her reporter’s instinct. She found her camera stashed inside her clutch, but nothing to write with.

  “Colette, do you have a pen?” she asked.

  “I think so,” Colette said, rummaging through her purse. “What do you need it for?” She handed her pen to Lily.

  “Thanks,” Lily replied. “I have an idea for a column, and I want to write it down before I forget it.”

  Lily filled the blank spaces of her program with notes and reminders. Little phrases she could use for inspiration. Before the second act began, it had become a scrapbook of this adventure.

  The play ended with a standing ovation. All the performances deserved accolades, but Daniel’s drew the most attention. The audience grew louder as he took his final bow. The fangirls were loudest of all, whistling even after the curtain fell to the stage.

  When the house lights came up, Lily debated what to do next. If she ever wanted Daniel Brighton’s autograph, now was the time. She and Colette let the crowd make their way out of the theater, and Lily gave one last look back at the stage as they left their seats.

  “All right, what’s the plan of action?” she asked when they reached the lobby.

  Colette leaned against the wall facing the exit. “I have absolutely no idea. I’m just along for the ride.”

  Lily spotted an usher making her way back into the theater.

  If anyone would know . . .

  “Excuse me,” she said, catching up to the usher just before she opened the door. “Do you know if the actors are signing autographs tonight?”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t think they are. They usually let us know so we can tell people where to wait.”

  “Oh, okay. Thanks,” said Lily. She made her way back to the front door where Colette was standing.

  “Looks like we’re out of luck. They’re not signin
g.”

  “Are you sure?” Colette asked. “They look like they know something.” She pointed to the fangirls who sat next to them. They were huddled together speaking in hushed tones.

  What the hell, Lily thought. Can’t hurt to ask.

  She and Colette walked over.

  “Hello, ladies! Did y’all enjoy the show?” Lily asked.

  “Of course! How about you?” Fangirl Two said.

  “Absolutely!” Lily answered. “Do you know if he’s signing autographs?”

  “Well, there’s only one way to find out. Come on,” Fangirl Three responded.

  Lily and Colette glanced at each other before following the girls out to a path connecting the main parking lot to a smaller one.

  “When they leave, they have to come this way,” Fangirl Three said knowingly.

  “I’m going to check out what’s happening up there,” Fangirl One said, walking down the path toward the other lot.

  “Do you mind if we wait, too?” Lily asked.

  “Of course not,” Fangirl Three said.

  “So where are you from?”

  “Georgia,” Fangirl Two answered. “Are you two staying for the matinee tomorrow?”

  “No, but we’re doing the backstage tour tomorrow morning,” Lily said.

  Fangirl One returned, walking slowly back down the path. “Daniel already left.”

  “Well, maybe tomorrow,” said Fangirl Three. “And maybe we’ll see you girls then.”

  “Maybe so! But if we miss you, have fun at the matinee,” Lily said with a wave.

  Colette fell into step with Lily as they walked toward her car. “Are you disappointed you didn’t get an autograph?”

  “Yeah,” Lily said with a sigh. “But at least we got to see Daniel Brighton in person. He was incredible.”

  “Naturally. And that white suit looked good on him.”

  Lily couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s dreamy tone. “No arguments from me!”

  “He really does light up the stage. I couldn’t stop watching him—and not just because he’s easy on the eyes! He’s even more talented than I already thought he was. And taller.”