“Good evening, Beth.” His greeting sounded hesitant.
Beth swallowed hard, suffocated by the invisible restraints keeping them from acting as a couple—restraints that were in danger of giving way under the force of her true desire to be in his arms and tell him how much she loved him.
“Good evening, Aidan,” she replied cordially.
“You look… stunning.” The last word was coated with awe.
Heat rose in her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“May I?” He motioned to her chair, staring at her as though he’d get down on his knees and beg if she said no.
“Yes, you may.” Her tone remained affable, but her eyes flared with gratitude.
Under the stares of their friends, she sat down and placed her purse on the table. Aidan moved behind her and pushed in her chair. She tossed a timid smile over her shoulder, reveling in the goose bumps that arose on her skin from his nearness.
“Thank you.”
His gaze darted to her lips before settling back on her eyes. “You’re welcome.”
Aidan took a seat beside her and rested a tentative hand on her thigh under the tablecloth. With her next look, Beth told him that she welcomed the touch, that the emotional tension between them was gone. The relief that softened his features indicated he read her loud and clear.
Olivia giggled beside her. “Well, it’s about time, you two.”
Across the table, Connie rolled her eyes and raised her hand to obtain the attention of the waiter. Beth still didn’t understand her friend’s dislike of Aidan but refused to dwell on it tonight.
As she scanned her vicinity, she wasn’t surprised to find her former costar and notorious partygoer, William Everett, sitting three tables away with his arm draped over the shoulders of a voluptuous blonde, who was most definitely not his fiancée from a few months ago.
During their Sparkling Meadow press tour, Beth thought it was only a matter of time before Will moved on from Anita Young. His wandering eye and large ego didn’t make him strong husband material, in her honest opinion.
The house band played celebratory tunes as more people filed to their seats. One of the later arrivals was Lydia Dale, who entered the room wearing a slinky sequined number that complemented her red hair and hugged her curves. As she weaved around the back tables, swaying her hips with dancer’s grace, she waved to familiar faces like she was the guest of honor. Patrons turned in their chairs to gawk. Unfortunately, her first stop was Beth’s table.
“Hello, everyone.” Lydia trained her eyes on Aidan, despite her general greeting.
Beth said a polite hello, along with her friends. Aidan didn’t acknowledge Lydia at all. Was it because he found Lydia attractive like many of the other male guests clearly did and didn’t want to risk offending her for the second time tonight?
There was no denying that Lydia was gorgeous—the epitome of a mature, confident woman with her dancer’s figure and catwalk strut. The only thing that provided Beth with some solace was her personality didn’t match her outer beauty.
“Aren’t you going to say hello, handsome?” Lydia wrapped her arms around Aidan, pressing her cleavage in his face.
Olivia inhaled a sharp breath, taking with it all the oxygen in the room as far as Beth was concerned, since she suddenly had difficulty breathing. The exchange between Lydia and Aidan captured the attention of every guest. No one at the table said anything as tensions mounted. Thankfully, Aidan was not someone who needed backup.
Hatred ignited his eyes and he shrugged Lydia off immediately.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” His tone was evocative of the one he’d used with Beth during their argument. With the reminder, her insecurities over not being able to please him festered.
Lydia gave a seductive pout, jutting out her chest in the process.
“What a party pooper, you are,” she said, slurring her words.
She was intoxicated, which surprised Beth, since the night was still young.
Aidan shook his head. “Why don’t you go bug someone else?”
“And what if I want to give you my undivided attention?” Lydia batted her eyelashes.
“Leave.” The anger in Aidan’s stare was unrelenting.
With a sulk, Lydia stalked off to her assigned table on the other side of the room. She was still too close for Beth’s comfort.
“What was that about?” Connie glowered at Aidan.
Beth opened her mouth to explain, but Nathan jumped to his defense first. “Lydia tried to seduce Aidan when he first came to Hollywood and he turned her down.”
“You turned her down?” Connie eyed Aidan skeptically.
Beth felt his hand on her leg again.
“Yeah, I did.”
As Aidan caressed her knee, Beth felt his love in the deepest parts of her, as clear as if he’d said the words aloud. Although she felt insecure about some things, she knew for certain he’d never done anything intimate with Lydia in the past. Thank goodness.
A young man approached the table, wearing a press pass around his neck and holding a camera. “Good evening, folks. How about a picture?”
Beth’s eyes darted to Nathan.
“Hello, Gil.” Nathan grinned at the photographer, looking as calm as usual. “No photos, all right?”
“Come on, just one for The Times.” Gil winked. “Then I’ll leave you all alone.”
Nathan tossed his napkin on the table and sighed. “Fine.”
Beth tensed, hoping he had a plan. He didn’t let her down.
“You should split the table in half and take two photos. That way you won’t cut anyone out.”
“Sure.” Gil gestured to Connie, Matthew, and Aidan. “I’ll take one of you three, and then I’ll get the rest of you.”
Aidan looked at Beth curiously, but to her relief, he scooted his chair toward Matthew and Connie without a fuss. The photographs were taken, and Gil moved on to the next table. Crisis averted.
A waiter took that opportunity to approach the table. He stopped beside Beth first. “Would you like some champagne, miss?”
“Well…” Beth shifted her gaze to Aidan.
He leaned into her. “I’ll look after you, little dove.”
He stroked her thigh under the tablecloth. A delicious tingle wafted across her skin.
Beth smiled at the waiter. “Sure, why not? It is New Year’s Eve, after all.”
The waiter filled her flute and moved on to Olivia, who also agreed to a drink.
Dinner was served promptly at seven thirty. Beth, Connie, and Olivia drank champagne as they ate while Matthew, Nathan, and Aidan opted for sparkling water. Matthew didn’t want to drink before his show, and Nathan followed Aidan’s lead, wanting to stay sober to keep an eye on Olivia.
After emptying half of her glass, Beth was giggling at the silliest things. Her cheeks also felt flushed and her heart fluttered, but she wasn’t sure if the alcohol was responsible or Aidan’s exhilarating closeness.
Once dessert finished, Matthew rose from his chair. “All right, folks, I gotta go. My manager is flashing me signals from side stage.”
“Have a wonderful show, sweetie.” Connie stood and placed a sensual kiss on his lips.
Matthew returned the kiss with equal passion, earning some wolf whistles from the crowd.
Beth watched the exchange, masking her concern over whether Aidan found her as sexy as Matthew—and the rest of America, for that matter—found Connie.
“Break a leg,” Olivia said, snuggling up to Nathan.
Matthew grinned. “Will do.”
As he took off for backstage, Connie sat down and followed him with her eyes, smiling like a woman deeply in love. Beth frowned and downed the rest of her champagne, jealous of her friends’ abilities to flaunt their romantic relationships to the world.
“Are you okay?” Aidan eyed her empty flute as she set it upon the table.
She forced a smile. “Yup!”
Thanks to the champagne, her reply so
unded perfectly cheerful.
Aidan retracted his hand from her knee as Jack and Ryan approached, dressed in stylish black suits. Beth felt the absence of his touch all the way through her but maintained her poise.
“Hi, Beth. I didn’t know you were in Las Vegas.” Jack bent down and kissed her cheek.
Beth felt Aidan tense beside her. “I didn’t know you two were coming, either.”
Ryan shrugged. “It seemed like everyone was attending Matthew’s show so we thought we would, too.”
“Did you two bring dates?” Beth asked.
Jack and Ryan exchanged glances.
“Uh, no,” Ryan replied. “It’s just us.”
Jack grabbed two vacant chairs from a nearby table and looked to Aidan. “Hey, would you mind moving over?”
Resistance blew over Aidan’s face like a sandstorm crossing the Nevada desert.
“You can put them between me and Beth.” Olivia flashed an encouraging smile.
“Thanks, but here’s fine.” Jack regarded Aidan pointedly.
Beth hid her disappointment as Aidan moved over to provide the space required for Jack to set the two chairs down next to her.
With his eyes to the table, Aidan fished a matchbook and a package of Winstons from his pocket. Given his reputation, his surly mood wouldn’t draw suspicion from Jack and Ryan, but Beth knew something was wrong because of his decision to smoke around her.
At his first drag, some of the tension eased from his shoulders. Between their fight this afternoon and constantly pretending as if they were barely friends, she didn’t blame him for needing help to calm down.
“So Beth, are you going to ring in the new year at the post-show party?” Jack propped his arms on the table and leaned forward, concealing Aidan from her view.
Beth plastered what she hoped was a convincing smile on her face. Normally, she enjoyed spending time with Jack and Ryan, but tonight she hoped they weren’t going to sit next to her throughout the concert.
“Yes, I am.”
Jack put his arm around Ryan’s shoulders and jostled him playfully. “We’ll be there, too.”
As their conversation shifted to Venus Rising, a waiter came by and refilled Beth’s glass with champagne. Taking her first sip, she attempted to catch Aidan’s gaze but was unsuccessful. With his cigarette burning between two fingers, the smoke drifting up and shadowing his somber emerald eyes, he stared at the table. His jaw was clenched, and his shoulders looked tense again.
Beth tried to give Jack and Ryan her utmost attention, but she was preoccupied with resentment over the fact they had no idea what she and Aidan were going through by having to play this ridiculous game. Consequently, she ended up concentrating more on finishing her champagne than adding anything of substance to their discussion. Before she knew it, the waiter was refilling her glass for the third time.
As she took another drink, feedback from a microphone echoed throughout the room. The guests fell silent. Beth looked to the stage, where an older, impeccably dressed gentleman stood in front of an orchestra that was primed to play.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Sands Hotel!” the emcee said with an enthusiastic smile.
Polite applause erupted throughout the room.
“In just a few minutes, Matthew McKenna will take the stage for his special New Year’s Eve performance. Please enjoy the show.” With a broad wave, the emcee exited stage right.
Jack stood from his chair. “Ryan and I going to take our seats. We’ll see you at the after party.”
Beth said a pleasant good-bye and anxiously watched as they replaced their chairs at the next table. Finally, she locked eyes with Aidan. Exhaling the remaining smoke from his lungs, he stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray and slid his chair toward her. His hand found her knee, and once again, all was right in her world.
The lights dimmed and the room silenced. Beth seized the opportunity to move closer to Aidan than was normally acceptable for them out in a public. He shot her a look of surprise but didn’t correct the distance between them. She was shocked by her boldness, too, but welcomed the rush it brought her in tandem with the alcohol that flowed through her body.
Matthew stepped out of the wings to thunderous applause. With expert grace, and the grin that helped make him a favorite of women all over the world, he walked to center stage.
“Good evening, everyone.” His greeting oozed confidence and enthusiasm. “I’m going to sing a few songs for you before we ring in 1954. How does that sound?”
As passionate applause swept the room again, the orchestra struck up one of his greatest hits, “Blessed,” a catchy swing tune. Matthew raised his microphone and started the first verse.
Blessed am I, my sweet.
My love for you makes me weak.
Life without you would leave me incomplete.
For blessed am I, my sweet.
Beth mouthed the words as Matthew skillfully worked the stage, spreading his attention amongst the audience. “Blessed” was the sort of song that put people in a wonderful mood, no matter what kind of day they were having. Even Aidan tapped his foot to the beat.
For his next number, Matthew hopped off the stage and serenaded some of the women in the front tables. One woman even kissed his cheek. Beth was shocked that Connie didn’t seem at all threatened by it. She wished she possessed the same confidence as her friend when it came to Lydia’s exchange with Aidan.
Hearts may break in two,
All over the globe,
But with you, my darling,
I will grow old.
Matthew held the last note and the music swelled, bringing the second song to a close.
“Thank you,” he said into the microphone as he made his way back to the stage. He didn’t climb the steps but remained at audience level. “This next song goes out to the woman I love.”
The crowd clapped and switched focus to Connie. She blew him a kiss. As the lights grew brighter and Matthew resumed singing, Beth was forced to angle away from Aidan.
Life would not be worth living,
Without you, my delightful dear.
All of my wonderful memories
Come from you, baby, my lady,
Whenever you are near.
Matthew made his way toward Connie, looking at her as though she was the only person in the room.
Through winter and spring,
Summer or fall,
My days are always sunny,
With you, my Connie.
Connie giggled at his change of the usual lyrics to include her name.
The orchestra launched into the chorus, but Matthew didn’t continue singing. He placed his microphone on the table. The intimate way in which he took Connie’s hand triggered dreamy sighs from many women in the audience.
“Honey, you have made me the happiest man in the entire world,” he said, returning to his normal speaking voice. “You are the love of my life, and the inspiration behind every song I sing.”
Shrieks tore throughout the room as he dropped down onto one knee. The loudest came from Beth and Olivia. Connie’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. Photographers swarmed the couple.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to you to be the mother of my children…” Matthew reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. When he opened the lid, there was a collective gasp from the crowd.
The ring nestled within sparkled brightly, even in the absence of the house lights. Some people stood from their chairs to get a better look. With the enormous size of the diamond, Beth didn’t see how they could miss it, even from the back of the room.
“Constance Annette Murphy, I promise to love you until the day I take my last breath.” Matthew peered up at her hopefully. “Will you marry me?”
Connie pushed her chair back and kneeled down with him, bringing her hand to his face. Flashbulbs exploded around them.
“Yes.” Tears trailed down her cheeks. “Yes, of course I’ll marry y
ou!”
Matthew slipped the ring on her finger amongst thunderous applause and helped her to her feet.
“She said yes!” He held up Connie’s arm like she was the victor of a boxing match. “Ladies and gentlemen, my fiancée, the future Mrs. Matthew McKenna!”
The crowd lifted their glasses in salute as the orchestra launched into a celebratory tune. Matthew swept Connie into his arms, dipped her elegantly, and graced her with a passionate kiss. When the concert resumed, his songs rang with a depth of emotion that was absent in his pre-proposal performance.
The instant Matthew disappeared behind the curtain at the end of the show and the house lights came on, Olivia was out of her seat and rushing around the table to check out Connie’s ring.
Beth stood to join them and was struck by vertigo so extreme she had to reach for the table to keep steady. Aidan monitored her with furrowed brows. She rolled her eyes at his concern. It wasn’t like he could help her even if he wanted to, since they were supposedly nothing more than casual acquaintances.
Up close, Beth found Connie’s diamond impractically large and complemented by a platinum band. It was perfect for her friend, and she couldn’t have felt happier for the couple. As she and Olivia offered praise and congratulations, they discovered Nathan and Aidan knew about Matthew’s proposal but had been sworn to secrecy. After some good-natured ribbing, they forgave their beaux for not telling them and returned to admiring the ring.
Since many other guests wanted to congratulate Connie, it took the group longer than expected to move to the Sands’ ballroom, where the after party was held. By the time they arrived, 1954 was less than half an hour away.
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