Starlight

by Alexandra Richland

  “Aidan Evans.”

  The doorman scanned the guest list.

  Aidan held his breath, hoping there wasn’t a last minute glitch with his invitation.

  The doorman looked up and smiled. “Welcome, Mr. Evans. Enjoy the party.”

  Inside, Aidan’s first stop was the ballroom, where the party was already in full swing. As he made his way through the crowd, he noticed that most of the guests worked for Starlight Studios, which he’d pretty much expected. He also noticed that some of the same people who avoided him at the studio when he filmed Spike Rollins weren’t avoiding him now. They didn’t attempt to strike up a conversation, probably because his standoff expression warned them against it, but they no longer treated him like he had a contagious disease. Most nodded a greeting. Others even offered smiles.

  Out of nowhere, Aidan was struck by a headache so severe he couldn’t see straight. He stopped walking and squeezed his eyes shut, breathing deeply to combat the accompanying nausea and vertigo. The clinking glasses, the live music, the chatter around him; every noise seemed amplified. It felt like he was hung over, except he hadn’t had a drink since his visit to Matthew’s house.

  Aidan blinked a few times and soldiered on, his gait unsteady, but his mind set to purpose. He spotted Matthew looking like Al Capone and conversing with two other guests. Unfortunately, Beth wasn’t with him. Neither were Connie, Nathan, and Olivia.

  Aidan thought about joining Matthew but his aversion to small talk directed him to the back corner of the room instead, where he stood like the unpopular boy at a high school dance, surveying the celebratory crowd and becoming more impatient to see Beth.

  As he leaned against the wall, his support gave way and he stumbled backward. When he turned around, he found he’d opened a door that led to a library empty of people and packed floor-to-ceiling with books.

  Aidan slipped inside and shut the door, reveling in the peace and quiet that greeted him. It seemed like an ideal place to kill time, since the growing crowd and accompanying racket only worsened his headache. He just had to make sure to check the ballroom every so often so he wouldn’t miss Beth’s arrival.

  In the middle of the library, four couches faced each other on a wool carpet, surrounding an oak table with a large globe placed on top of it. Aidan walked up to the globe and spun it slowly, feeling the bumps of the continents under his fingertips. His next stop was the bookshelves embedded in the far wall, where he discovered many first edition classic novels.

  Aidan picked up a book Beth had suggested to him during one of their conversations in New York. Reading usually relaxed him so he figured it was a good distraction. After reading the first several pages, he heard the door open behind him and commotion from the party filled the room. He closed the book and replaced it on the shelf in preparation for his departure. The library was probably off limits for guests, which meant he wouldn’t be welcome in here.

  The door shut, muffling the noises from the ballroom again.

  “Oh, forgive me! I didn’t mean to disturb you. I was looking for the restroom.”

  Aidan turned around. Nathan’s girlfriend, Olivia, stood near the closed door, wearing a purple dress. His first thought was if she was here, then Beth was, too.

  “It’s okay.” He bowed his head and headed for the exit. “I was just leaving anyway.”

  “Please don’t leave yet.” Olivia’s request stopped him mid-stride. “Um, I was wondering … since you’re here … and I’m here … maybe we could talk. That is, if you don’t mind.”

  After snapping at her in the studio commissary last spring, Aidan figured he owed her one. “Sure, I don’t mind.”

  “Thank you.” Olivia smiled, but her eyes didn’t lie. Something stressful was on her mind.

  Aidan wanted to ask her about Beth, but he wasn’t sure if she knew how well they were acquainted or if she approved of them spending time together in the first place. He opted for what he assumed was a safer subject, anything to keep the conversation off of him.

  “Is Nate here? He said he hoped to be back from New York in time for the party.”

  “Yes, Nathan is here.” Olivia dropped her eyes to the floor, her posture taking on a melancholy slope. “I just left him in the cigar room.”

  Aidan rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. His attempt at making a good impression was falling short. Worse, he had no idea how to redeem himself.

  Olivia wrung her hands together. “You were at Matthew’s house when Nathan got the call and departed for New York, right?”

  “Well … yeah, I was.”

  “Did something seem off to you? Like, did you believe his trip was work related?”

  Aidan lifted his eyebrows. So he wasn’t the only person suspicious of Nathan’s story.

  He chose to play dumb to avoid saying the wrong thing and getting his friend into trouble. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, Matthew believes Nathan was telling the truth …”

  “And you don’t?”

  Olivia shook her head.

  “Listen, Olivia, this isn’t my place to say …” Aidan shifted on his feet, his hands finding their way into his pockets. “I mean, your relationship with Nate is none of my business … but I can say with absolute certainty that he loves you a lot. Whatever is bothering him has nothing to do with you.”

  Olivia frowned. “So you admit something isn’t right, then?”

  Aidan cringed. “Well … uh …”

  Olivia looked at him with wide eyes. “Please, Aidan. If you know anything …”

  He chose his reply carefully. “Look, Nate did seem stressed when he left Matt’s place, but his trip was arranged last minute, so it isn’t a stretch he’d be a bit rattled by the whole thing. I don’t even think he had a chance to go home and pack before heading to the airport.”

  Olivia nodded, but she still looked torn up.

  Aidan proposed what he figured was the next logical step. “Why don’t you just ask him straight if something is wrong?”

  “I did.”

  “And?”

  “And …” She exhaled a deep breath. “He said Mr. Mertz sent him to New York to take care of a public relations problem with one of his big stars and that everything was resolved during his trip. But he’s been so distant since he got back, worse than he was in the days leading up to his departure, so it’s difficult for me to believe him.”

  Aidan knew Mr. Mertz had PR people based in New York to handle studio business on the east coast. He also knew it wasn’t right for him to voice his doubts if he didn’t have concrete evidence that Nathan was lying, even though he truly sympathized with Olivia.

  “Well, his explanation sounds reasonable to me,” he said, hoping to put the topic to rest.

  A tear fell from Olivia’s eye. “I suppose so.”

  Aidan placed his hand on her shoulder. “Hey, don’t cry. He’s here with you tonight, right?”

  “Yes.” More tears escaped her eyes.

  “Then my advice is to relax and enjoy the party. Nate just got back, so maybe he needs some time to recover. You know, jet lag, and stuff like that.”

  “That could be it.” The tension eased from her face. “You’re right. I should be patient.”

  Aidan picked up a box of tissues from a nearby table. “Here, use these.”

  Olivia took the box from him. “Thank you.”

  She blew her nose with one tissue and wiped her eyes with another.

  Aidan spotted a garbage can across the room.

  “Here, give ’em to me.” He extended his hand toward her.

  Olivia looked at him questioningly.

  “Come on.” He wiggled his fingers for extra encouragement.

  Olivia took a clean tissue from the box and wrapped her dirty ones in it before handing everything over to him.

  Aidan tossed the tissues into the trash and she placed the tissue box back on the table. Since she seemed better now, he figured it was a good time to leave.

  “You kn
ew Beth was coming tonight––that’s why you accepted Matthew’s invitation.” Olivia smiled when she caught his surprised expression. “It’s all right, I know all about the connection you two have made so far. Beth told me about your day together in New York. Plus, I assumed this party isn’t exactly your cup of tea.”

  Aidan shoved his hands in his pockets. “You’re right, but for Beth I’d do anything. I’d go anywhere.”

  Olivia’s smile widened. “I know. That’s why you went to New York––to see her.”

  Aidan’s face flushed. “Nate told you?”

  “Nope. I just had a hunch.”

  Aidan chuckled. “Some hunch.”

  “Don’t worry––your secret is safe with me. The main reason Beth was so excited to come tonight was to see you, so you’re two peas in a pod in that regard.” Olivia sighed. “Anyway, I should go before Nathan wonders where I am. It was really nice talking to you, Aidan.”

  A genuine grin crossed his face. “You too, Olivia.”

  After Olivia left the library, Aidan took a few minutes to gather his thoughts and his courage, hoping that after he confessed not only his strong feelings toward Beth, but also the entire truth about his past, tonight wouldn’t be the last time she’d have anything to do with him.

  ***

  After Connie’s zipper was fixed, Beth accompanied her out of the dressing room.

  “So, are you enjoying the party?” Connie asked on their descent to the main floor.

  “Yes, I––” Beth sensed Aidan before she saw him. There was a distinct change in the air and her skin suddenly warmed and tingled. She stopped halfway down the stairs and scanned the busy foyer. He stood near the entrance to the ballroom, staring right at her.

  Beth ignored Connie’s inquiries into what caught her attention and continued her descent, gripping the railing tighter so she wouldn’t tumble the rest of the way down. The closer she got to Aidan, the more alarming his appearance became. To anyone else, he would’ve looked suave and confident with his clean-shaven face, black vest, white open-collared dress shirt, black dress pants, and slightly tamed hair. To her, his anguish was palpable.

  When they stopped before each other in the middle of the foyer, she was disturbed even more by what she saw. The glow that had been so prominent in his eyes during their time together in New York had disappeared, replaced by lifeless green pools of tumultuous despair.

  Beth blinked back her tears. She was determined to save him from his troubles, whatever they were, no matter how much he tried to push her away. It seemed as though his life depended on it, and now that she was so emotionally involved with him, it meant hers did as well.

  The spark that shot up her arm when Aidan took her hand came as no surprise, yet the thrill she felt was no less intense. Based on his softening gaze, he felt it, too.

  “Come away with me,” he whispered. “Please.”

  Beth nodded and followed him outside to the cluster of cars parked in the courtyard. Instead of his Porsche, he brought her to a motorcycle with a suit jacket hanging from the handlebar. This would be her first motorcycle ride, but she was more excited than nervous.

  Beth secured her purse on her shoulder and covered her hair with her scarf. When she was finished, Aidan removed his suit jacket from the handlebar and lifted it up in offering. The jacket was several sizes too big and fell to her knees, but it smelled like him––that perfect blend of mint and cigarettes––and kept her warm against the cool late evening breeze.

  Beth settled behind Aidan on the motorcycle. He regarded her fondly over his shoulder. “Hold on tight, okay?”

  Beth wrapped her arms around his waist like she’d seen in the movies and closed her eyes, resting her cheek against his back.

  The soft jingle of keys punctuated the silence between them. As the engine roared to life, her heart raced and her longing to escape with him soared. She didn’t know where they were headed, but felt certain this was the start of something special between them––something far greater than what they had already shared––regardless of what he confessed to her tonight.

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Aidan whisked Beth away from the Halloween party like Prince Charming on a white horse except her prince was a dashing rebel with a dark steel stallion. She sensed he had a destination in mind, for he never hesitated during their windy journey through the city.

  They left Laurel Canyon and raced along a narrow, winding stretch of road that ran alongside a mountain. On her right, the road met a precipice. The lights of Los Angeles blinked below.

  It didn’t take long for Beth to establish where they were: Mulholland Drive, well known for its celebrity dwellings and breathtaking scenic views. The homes were notoriously set far back from the street, guarded by wrought iron or wooden gates and concealed by dense greenery.

  Despite the fog and absence of streetlights, Aidan navigated Mulholland expertly. He pulled over to the side of the road and parked near some shrubbery, tilting the motorcycle to the left and placing his boot on the ground to steady them. The moonlit land was unpaved, dusty, and littered with pebbles. It seemed like they were the only two people around for miles.

  Beth let go of him, wondering why they had stopped here.

  Aidan got off the motorcycle and offered his hand, helping her dismount with a gentle grip. The wind had ravaged his hair and flushed his cheeks, adding some life to his otherwise deathly appearance.

  Beth removed her scarf and tucked it into her purse, which she hung from the handlebar.

  Aidan cocked his head, silently asking her to follow him. She agreed with a nod. He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her away from the road to an open area that bordered on a cliff.

  There was no barrier between them and the edge, but they stopped far enough back that Beth didn’t feel nervous. She surveyed the view. It was difficult to see where the starry sky ended and Los Angeles began. The city lights seemed to stretch on forever.

  Aidan dropped his hand from her back. “I ride my bike up here often. It’s good when I need to … you know … get away from stuff and clear my head.”

  Beth studied his despondent expression. The moon seemed brighter up here––like a lone spotlight suspended above a vacant soundstage. It shone down on him, exposing a striking vulnerability that contradicted his tough public image.

  Aidan’s eyes shot toward the city. “I wanted to call you when you returned to L.A. but Nate didn’t tell me you were back until I saw him last week.”

  “At Matthew’s house.”

  He nodded. “I was gonna get your telephone number from him and call you that evening, but he took off for New York so quickly …”

  Beth smiled. “It’s all right, I understand.”

  Aidan nodded again.

  “So what’ve you been up to since I last saw you?” she asked.

  Aidan dragged his boot along the ground, gathering small stones at his feet. “I’ve signed up for a race in December in Santa Barbara, so I’ve been practicing with my Porsche at a local track a lot.” He reached down and scooped up the pile of stones in his hand. “What about you?”

  Beth thought car racing sounded dangerous but she wasn’t about to bring up her concerns now. They had more pressing matters to address.

  “Well, Olivia and I have been spending a lot of time together and I’ve seen Connie once aside from tonight. The rest of my time has been spent at the studio filming my musical, which will wrap just before Christmas.”

  Aidan threw one of the stones over the cliff.

  Beth’s heart clenched. Physically, he was so close. Emotionally, he was a million miles away. She hoped if she kept talking he’d relax. “Would you believe Ryan, our choreographer, actually had to beg Mr. Mertz to put my weekly dancing lessons unrelated to the movie on hold after I returned from my press tour?”

  Aidan tossed another stone over the cliff. His turbulent eyes narrowed as he watched its journey into the dark abyss below.

  “He actually exp
ected me to do both. As if the routines I’m learning for Venus Rising aren’t tough enough.”

  Aidan launched the rest of the stones into the air at once. They fanned out and cascaded over the cliff. He dusted his hands off on his pants and slipped them into his pockets.

  “I watched Sparkling Meadow,” he said. “Your performance was truly spectacular.”

  Beth blushed. As proud as she was of her performance, she knew she still had a lot to learn about acting. She also knew she had to stop doubting herself and learn to accept compliments.

  “Thank you,” she replied softly.

  Aidan rubbed his jaw. The storm still brewed in his eyes, though not as intensely as it did at the party. “So, tell me about your press tour.”

  “Unfortunately, I didn’t see much of the cities we stopped in, aside from New York. My interviews and personal appearances took up too much of my time. But overall, I enjoyed the experience. I was able to travel to many places I never thought I’d have the opportunity to visit.”

  “That’s good.” Aidan looked to the ground.

  “I wouldn’t want to be on the road all the time, though. It was quite tiring. I’m very happy to be back in Los Angeles for, um, various reasons.” She regarded him sheepishly, wondering if he made the connection that one of the main reasons was him.

  “Anyway, some things I did on tour were a little strange. For instance, in Boston, I attended the opening of a department store, where I cut a ribbon with big scissors and posed for photographs. Mr. Mertz insisted it would garner good publicity for the film. You know, because it would get my name in the papers.” Beth shrugged. “I didn’t mind. It was better than staying inside my hotel.”

  “Actors shouldn’t be forced to waste their time with silly stuff like department store openings,” Aidan muttered. “That’s one of the reasons I refused to sign a studio contract. No way will I allow Mertz to tell me what to do.”

  “Um … I also got to see my parents,” she said, trying for some levity

  “Yeah, you told me you were going to.” Aidan’s scowl receded. “In Portland, right?”

  “Yes. They showed up at the screening and watched the film with me in the front row.” A wistful smile appeared on her face. “It was so wonderful seeing them and being called Marie again, if only for an evening.”