Starlight

by Alexandra Richland

  A six-piece orchestra was set up on a small stage and playing similar music to what the band played downstairs. Nathan and Olivia held hands, lost in their own world, while Connie and Matthew conversed with another couple. Clutching her purse, Beth wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders and took in the awe-inspiring scenery with wide eyes.

  Applause erupted from one corner of the roof and Desi Arnaz emerged from the crowd, laughing.

  “Okay, okay, I’ll do it!” he said in his famous Cuban accent.

  The people around him cheered louder. Beth watched curiously, trying to figure out what all of the commotion was about.

  The band stopped playing as Desi walked onto the stage. An older gentleman handed him a large conga drum and Beth realized he was going to perform. Some of the musicians remained onstage to accompany him while others left. As people clued in to what was about to transpire, cheers spread across the rooftop.

  Lucille Ball stood in front of the stage and the crowd gathered behind her. Although Beth usually listened to classical music, as well as crooners like Matthew and Frank Sinatra, she felt excited to hear a live performance by Desi Arnaz.

  Desi pulled the strap of the drum over his head, situating the conga across his chest. He beat it with his hands in quick succession and the crowd went wild. As he sang in English, many people joined in. Beth didn’t know the words, but she still enjoyed the show.

  Nathan and Olivia danced the mambo, which she recognized from her lessons at the studio. She watched them fondly while holding Olivia’s purse. They moved together gracefully, as though they had been lifelong partners. Their eyes twinkled and their laughter drifted in the cool night air.

  “Matthew! Matthew!” The crowd chanted in time to Desi’s beat.

  Beth looked over at Connie’s beau.

  “No way!” he said.

  The applause strengthened. Beth joined in, swaying her hips to the music.

  Connie giggled and tugged Matthew in the direction of the stage.

  Desi finished his song and waved the crooner over.

  “Come on, Matthew,” he said into the microphone. “Get up here and join me.”

  Matthew lifted his hands in defeat and walked toward the stage. The audience went wild with whistles, applause, and shouts. Beth heard some booing and discovered Frank and Dean jokingly protesting the crowd’s support. She couldn’t help but smile.

  Matthew took to the stage and motioned for the crowd to quiet down. “Thank you, everyone. I truly do not deserve such adoration.” He paused. “But please, keep it up because it’s driving Frank and Dean nuts!”

  The audience laughed.

  “So, what do you say, Matthew, should we give your latest hit single some Cuban flavor?” Desi asked into the microphone.

  The crowd cheered.

  Desi beat his conga drum and the band backed him with a catchy crescendo. Matthew sheepishly swayed his hips to the music. The audience laughed at his poor attempt to imitate Desi’s moves.

  As Matthew’s smooth voice filled the rooftop, sounding far more mature than his twenty-two years, Beth marveled at the unique collaboration before her. She had heard this song several times on the radio, but it sounded even better performed live with a Latin spin.

  Matthew looked awkward as he tried to move to the beat while singing the lyrics to a song that normally was much slower, but it was all in good fun. Both the audience and performers were having a gay time.

  As Desi rapidly thumped out the final beats on the conga, Matthew sang the last note with his trademark soul and swagger. After he trailed off and the band ceased their tune, Desi treated the audience to another impromptu solo performance. Sweat poured down his face and his black hair flapped wildly over his dark eyes as he beat his drum with great fervor, impressing even the most seasoned singers on the rooftop. The crowd hooted and hollered as he dramatically ended his beat, throwing his arms up triumphantly and officially concluding the song.

  Desi removed his conga drum and stood next to Matthew. They placed their arms across each other’s backs and took a deep bow before the energized audience who shouted their approval even louder. Beth’s hands felt numb and her throat tickled from cheering so much. She hadn’t had this much fun in ages.

  Nathan and Olivia left the dance floor and joined Beth and Connie. Perspiration glistened on their flushed faces, but Beth was well aware that their glow wasn’t on account of the mambo.

  “Wasn’t that performance amazing, Marie?” Olivia said between heaving breaths.

  Beth handed back her purse.

  “I’m parched after all that dancing.” Nathan loosened his tie. “I’m going to the bar to get a glass of water. Would you three like some as well?”

  Olivia nodded. Connie and Beth declined.

  “Who’s Marie?” Connie asked after Nathan departed.

  Olivia’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oops, sorry, Beth. I was so caught up with Nathan and the dancing, I forgot.”

  “It’s all right. It’s not like it’s some big secret.” Beth turned to Connie to explain further. “My name used to be Marie before I signed my studio contract. Mr. Mertz wanted me to change my name and Nathan suggested Elizabeth Sutton.”

  Connie smiled. “Don’t worry, honey, your secret is safe with me. I was born Mildred Johnson and heck, I’m not even a natural blonde!”

  The three women burst out laughing. Beth never would have guessed that someone as glamorous as Constance used to be called Mildred.

  “What’s so funny?” Matthew asked as he jogged up to them. He was still out of breath from his performance.

  “You,” Connie joked. She ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him deeply.

  Matthew whispered something into Connie’s ear that made her giggle and blush. Beth blushed, too, feeling as though she was intruding on a private moment. She turned to Olivia, but Nathan had returned with their water and they were off in their own world as well.

  On her own again, surrounded by couples, Beth surveyed the rooftop. The band was back and commenced a familiar tune, Moonlight Serenade. She hummed the melody softly. It was one of her favorites.

  “I noticed your friends have left you all alone. Would you care to dance?”

  Beth looked away from the stage. Her gentleman caller was none other than a well-dressed Errol Flynn. She suppressed a laugh, recalling her father’s warning about the actor during their last telephone conversation.

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” she replied, gauging Mr. Flynn’s interested expression.

  Mr. Flynn’s light brown eyes drifted down her body, reflecting transparent appreciation. “Don’t worry, Miss …”

  “Sutton.”

  “Miss Sutton.” He met her gaze with a pleasant smile. “I promise that my request is an innocent one. I simply cannot stand to see a pretty girl sitting out such a wonderful song.”

  Beth figured that one dance wouldn’t hurt. “All right, Mr. Flynn, I will allow you this one dance.”

  A satisfied grin crossed his face. He ushered her to the middle of the dance floor and pulled her body to his. She stepped back a bit in an attempt to keep a distance between them that was respectable for two people who were strangers. Although she was a novice dancer, she recalled everything she learned at Starlight Studios thus far and tried her best.

  As Mr. Flynn swept her across the rooftop, she wondered how Aidan’s arms would feel around her instead. The thought made her skin flush. It seemed her father’s warning was erroneous. Errol Flynn wasn’t the man she had to watch out for.

  The rational thing to do was to forget about Aidan. However, despite how insensitive she felt he acted toward her on set this morning, she couldn’t shake him from her mind.

  ***

  Aidan wandered around Romanoff’s for almost half an hour, smoking one cigarette after another, before he found the Brunette from the studio on the rooftop of the restaurant standing with Constance Murphy, Orange Sweater Girl, Matthew McKenna, and of all people, Nathan Tagg
art. If Aidan had known Nathan knew the Brunette, he would’ve asked his friend for some information earlier. Nathan might’ve been suspicious of his questioning, but he didn’t care anymore. His desire to speak to her overwhelmed all of his thoughts and directed all of his actions, most of which were completely out of sorts from his usual behavior.

  As his eyes roamed over her slender figure draped in a scarlet gown, the way he felt toward her on set returned tenfold, driving his need to speak with her to the edge of his patience threshold. The rich shimmering fabric made her pale skin look like flawless marble in contrast; the vision took his breath away.

  Aidan watched her stand with Constance during Matthew McKenna and Desi Arnaz’s performance, and waited for his opportunity to approach her. Unfortunately, after the song, Nathan and Orange Sweater Girl joined her and Constance again, forcing him to wait some more.

  After exchanging a few words with the women, Nathan took off in Aidan’s direction.

  “Nate!” Aidan called, drawing up to his full height.

  Nathan walked right past him. Aidan tossed his cigarette to the ground and grabbed his friend’s forearm. Nathan turned to him, his broad grin laced with a positive emotion that Aidan had never seen on him before.

  “Oh, hey, Aidan! I’m just heading over to the bar to grab some water for my girl and me. We only just met, but I really think she’s something special.”

  “That’s awesome, man, really. But, uh …” Aidan cringed, wondering how he could broach the subject of the Brunette casually. He decided he had no choice but use direct questioning. “Listen, Nate, who’s that girl you’re with?”

  “Who, Olivia?”

  “Is that her name? The one in the red dress?”

  Nathan shook his head. “Oh, sorry, my mind’s elsewhere. No, Olivia is that girl I just told you about. She’s beautiful and funny, and she has this abundance of energy …”

  Aidan patted his shoulder, “Listen, Nate, that’s great about Olivia, really. But no, I’m talking about the girl in the red dress. I, uh … I wanna know her name.”

  He braced himself for Nathan’s reaction. Thankfully, his friend didn’t give him a hard time.

  “That’s Elizabeth Sutton. She’s a new Starlight Studios contract actress. Beth’s a really nice girl. I discovered her myself.”

  “Beth Sutton.” Aidan repeated her name as though in prayer.

  “She and Olivia are friends and roommates,” Nathan added. “That’s how I met Liv.”

  Aidan looked at Beth. She was laughing with her friends.

  Nathan smiled knowingly. “Hey, why don’t you join us? I can introduce you.”

  Aidan took a few moments to contemplate the offer. As tempting as the proposition was, he really didn’t want to meet Beth in a group. It was impossible for him to relate in social situations. He felt awkward in the company of people he didn’t know. On the other hand, it might be his only chance to talk to her tonight.

  The coward in Aidan won out.

  “Thanks, Nate, but, uh,” he eyed Beth over Nathan’s shoulder and cringed at his next words, “maybe some other time.”

  Nathan grinned and shook his hand. “No problem. Another time, then.”

  “Yeah, another time,” Aidan muttered as Nathan took off. He felt around for his cigarettes and cursed when he discovered the package was empty. With a sigh, he returned his attention to Beth. Matthew approached Connie and then Nathan rejoined the group, leaving her as the odd one out.

  Moonlight Serenade drifted across the rooftop and Aidan’s heart lifted at what transpired next. Beth’s friends headed to the dance floor, leaving her standing by herself. He didn’t waste any time and pushed his way through the crowd with abandon, looking to seize the opportunity.

  His hope crashed down around him when Errol Flynn approached her first.

  Aidan stopped in his tracks and watched them exchange a few words, silently urging her to send the actor away. Instead, she took Mr. Flynn’s hand and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor.

  Aidan expelled a vicious curse, feeling defeated and stupid. If he’d taken Nathan up on his offer earlier, he would’ve talked to Beth for sure tonight. Now he would leave the restaurant knowing only her name.

  As Mr. Flynn glided Beth across the dance floor, Aidan envied him. Beth moved so gracefully he decided to watch her for the rest of the song, imagining her in his embrace instead. The thought brought a smile to his face.

  Suddenly, their eyes locked, resembling their silent exchange on the Checkmate set. Aidan’s world shifted into focus. With utter certainty, he determined Beth was too good for him and he needed to get out of here as quickly as possible. It wounded him too much to look into her eyes and feel that strong, intoxicating pull toward her, knowing she would never be his. He believed his past mistakes warranted nothing but a lonely existence for him laced with pain, not love: punishment befitting a failure.

  With a heavy heart, Aidan tore his gaze from Beth and rushed toward the rooftop exit, committing the vision of her dancing under the moonlight to his mind while simultaneously berating himself for once again living up to his self-appointed label of coward.

  ***

  As Beth danced with Errol Flynn, her thoughts focused elsewhere. Couples laughed around them, having a gay time, and she, too, tried to enjoy herself. In all honesty, she couldn’t wait for the song to finish.

  As the melody swelled, her skin began warming and tingling. Her intuition told her that neither Mr. Flynn’s embrace nor the cool rooftop breeze was the culprit. The sensation was similar to what she felt on the Checkmate set.

  Beth peered over Mr. Flynn’s shoulder and found herself staring into the steady eyes of Aidan Evans. At the handsome image of him in black jeans, a white T-shirt, and black leather jacket, her breath caught.

  She blinked rapidly, convinced she was dreaming, but Aidan didn’t disappear. He stood mere feet from her amongst the gathering of couples, the moonlight dancing off his tousled hair and transforming his faintly tanned skin into flawless, white marble.

  After blinking again, she determined she truly wasn’t seeing things. All night, she had wished Aidan would come to Romanoff’s and now here he was. For once, her reality surpassed even the loveliest of dreams.

  As Mr. Flynn twirled her, she thought about only one thing: She needed to talk to Aidan. After completing her rotation, she glanced in his direction, but much like her experience on the Checkmate set, he was no longer there. Panicked, she searched the rooftop and spotted him nearing the exit. She was determined to go after him, despite the fact that it was entirely inappropriate for her to do so.

  “Mr. Flynn, sir, thank you so much for the dance,” she said, “but I’m afraid I have to meet someone.”

  Mr. Flynn chuckled and pulled her closer. “Relax, Miss Sutton, you can leave after the song is over. I’m sure whoever it is will wait for you.”

  As Aidan disappeared into the stairwell, Beth stepped out of Mr. Flynn’s embrace and looked him directly in the eye. “I apologize, but I must leave.”

  Amusement fluttered across his face. “All right, but before you depart, I must say that whoever he is, he’s one lucky man.”

  Beth smiled. “Thank you for understanding.”

  Mr. Flynn moved aside, gesturing for her to pass him. Lifting the bottom of her dress so she wouldn’t trip, Beth rushed across the rooftop, hoping Aidan wasn’t leaving the restaurant altogether.

  She pushed open the steel exit door and ran down the stairs, scanning the dining hall for his disheveled hair and leather jacket, which she knew would stand out magnificently in the dense mob of Romanoff’s polished patrons.

  Beth caught him leaving through the front door of the establishment and frantically pushed her way through the crowd in his direction. In her haste, her shawl slipped from her shoulders and fell to the floor. She didn’t even attempt to retrieve it.

  As she picked up the pace, her feet ached, begging her to quit, but she refused to stop. She couldn’t—not wh
en she was so close. In a moment of desperation, she removed her pumps and continued toward the main entrance. Upon her arrival, the doorman regarded her curiously and stepped aside.

  Pausing in the entryway, she looked around the parking lot for Aidan. At the far end, he hopped on his motorcycle. The low rumble of the engine echoed throughout the parking lot, sending vibrations through the concrete.

  “Aidan, wait!” She waved her clutch purse and one shoe in the air in a bid to get his attention. The roar of the motorcycle drowned out her voice.

  Beth glanced down at her stocking feet and then at the dirty pavement ahead. Taking a leap of faith, she left the restaurant behind, amidst protests from the doorman, and weaved between cars on her hurried journey across the parking lot.

  As Aidan raced toward the street on his motorcycle, her desperation grew and she threw her pumps to the ground. Her hair whipped wildly in the wind as she sped up. Debris from the pavement pressed into the bottom of her feet but she ignored the discomfort, thinking only of reaching him before he disappeared.

  “Aidan!” she called.

  He peeled out onto South Rodeo. Beth left the parking lot and ran down the sidewalk, shouting his name again as the loud engine of his motorcycle faded.

  “Aidan,” she croaked in a last attempt to gain his attention.

  As she focused on his retreating form, she knew the sound of his engine, compounded with the increasing distance between them made it impossible for him to hear her cries.

  Beth stopped running and bent forward, her chest heaving as she fought to catch her breath. She shuddered from the cool breeze against her heated skin and looked down at her torn stockings and sore feet, realizing she was a pitiful sight.

  A strangled cry escaped her throat as her exhaustion, sadness, and frustration overwhelmed her all at once. Her lungs ached from the workout she gave them, but the pain paled in comparison to the agony she felt after failing to obtain Aidan’s attention. The fact she probably saved herself from further humiliation did nothing to console her.