This was all too bizarre. One minute I'm ripping petals off of a flower playing the 'He loves me, He loves me not' game about some guy on my favorite TV show, the next I'm sitting next to him on his couch with his arm draped over my shoulder. For a homebody, this is way out of my comfort zone… but I don't mind it, either.
Jefferson Mayer. I looked up to study his features. He seemed so out of my league, with his perfectly tanned skin, muscular arms, golden eyes, and brown hair that was perfectly brushed back. He looked back down and smiled at me with his almost blindingly white teeth.
It all seemed so sudden. It was just last week that my best friend, Sophie, ran up to me screaming about how she won an all-expense paid trip for her and one guest to watch a live taping of 'Back to the Basics.' For a show about a guy who leaves his high-profile job as a New York Journalist to cover 'good news' stories in his hometown in Alabama, he was nothing like his character. I mean, he seemed just as sweet, but looking around his backstage room, he was nothing like his 'Country Bumpkin' character. Pool tables, a hot tub, a TV that took up most of his wall, a chocolate fountain station, leather couches, and an intercom system where he could order any food he wanted and it would be there within 30 minutes – it was a little overwhelming. I put my glass of champagne down and looked at him. "So… what's the deal? Why did you invite me backstage with you?"
Jefferson smiled and put his champagne glass down as well. "Well, when I was taking pictures with the audience, your beauty just struck me" he smiled. I rolled my eyes. What could he have found so beautiful? My boring brown eyes? My crooked smile? The overdramatic screaming when he looked my way? The few pounds I needed to lose? As if he was reading my mind, he continued. "It was your beautiful eyes. Your perfect smile. From your head to your toes, I saw no flaw in you. But what really struck me was your kindness. When I came to say hello to the audience, you stayed back so the little girls could say hi to me first, even though as a contest winner you were clearly first in line. When I was on set, I heard you laugh, and it was so loud, but the most infectious laugh I'd ever heard. The fact that you seem so real. That's what I like about you."
I smiled at him and immediately looked forward. I was embarrassed and nervous. I wondered how many times he used that line on a girl. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was Sophia who was next door, watching a taping of some low-level talk show. When Jefferson came by and invited me backstage, then turned to Sophia and said she was invited too, it was almost instinctual for her. She could tell he was looking at me every chance he got in between filming. She denied and said she had other places in LA that she wanted to see. I picked up my phone.
What's going ONNNNNNN
"Who's that?" Jefferson asked.
"Oh, just Sophia." I said, replying with nothing but a smiling face emoji. He smiled and stood up to pour himself more drink when there was a knock on the door. He called the person in. It was a tall lady with a tight dark bun, wrinkles around her mouth, and a black pantsuit. She was holding a clipboard and had a Bluetooth in her ear. She was probably one of the director's assistants. She looked at me and rolled her eyes, before turning her attention to Jefferson. "We just finished filming for the day, you're free to go." He didn't even acknowledge her as he kept pouring his glass. She gave me one last glare before rolling her eyes, turning on her heel, and walking out. I quickly stood up. "I guess that's my queue." I said, picking up my purse and stuffing my phone inside.
"Wait, why?" Jefferson asked, turning to me.
"Well, that lady just said –"
"Why don't you come back to my place with me?" He asked. I immediately felt uncomfortable and started backing up closer to the door.
"That sounds fun, but Sophia –" I started.
"She can come too!" He said, walking towards me.
I knew how this scene went. It's what happened in all the movies. He takes me back to his place, and the next day he pretends he doesn't even know me. That's it. Fairy Tale is over. Plus, I did not feel comfortable at all going to some guy's house, let alone someone I had just met. Smiling at him, I replied "It was nice to meet you Jefferson" and turned to walk away. I knew my luck, and I just wasn't the kind of girl who some big celebrity fell for. I was the girl who would go back to Michigan, work in some office, and live the rest of my life with that memory that I could tell my grandchildren one day.
"Chloe!" he called out after me. I stopped, looked over my shoulder and smiled at him before opening the door and walking out. A few seconds later I heard the door open and heard him call out after me again. I turned around and laughed, "Jefferson! I have to go!" I said, pushing the elevator button.
"Can I call you?" He asked, walking a little closer to me. I didn't answer. Of course I wanted him to call me, but I just knew how this story went. I smiled at him as the elevator door opened. "It was nice to meet you, Jefferson." I repeated before stepping on the elevator and heading off to meet Sophia.