Starbright

by Richland, Alexandra

  Beth tried to catch her breath through her laughter. “You’re lucky the soundstage is vacant or else our actions would look pretty suspicious.”

  Bracing his hand on the door, Aidan leaned in and brushed his lips to her ear. Suddenly, Beth didn’t care who was around.

  “I’m just trying to speed up your departure so you can return sooner rather than later.” The sexy insinuation behind his words was unmistakable.

  Aidan ushered her out the door and handed over her car keys, which she’d given to him earlier for safekeeping, along with her angel pendent, since her costume didn’t have pockets.

  The trip to Nathan’s office took longer than Beth anticipated because the backlot was crowded with employees on their lunch breaks.

  As she entered the reception room on the top floor of Nathan’s office building, Ethel and Caroline greeted her with smiles from behind their typewriters.

  “Why, Miss Sutton, to what do we owe this visit?” Caroline asked.

  “Mr. Taggart requested a meeting with me.” Beth held up her telegram as she walked toward his secretary.

  Caroline frowned. “I’m afraid Mr. Taggart isn’t here at the moment. He was called away to another location on the lot to take care of a very important matter. I’m not sure when he’ll return.”

  “I suppose he got the call after he sent his message and was unable to notify me.” Beth thought about Aidan waiting for her back at the soundstage. “Oh, well, we can meet some other time.”

  “I apologize, Miss Sutton.” Caroline resumed her typing. “Once Mr. Taggart returns, I’ll tell him you stopped by and he can reschedule your meeting.”

  “Thank you.”

  Ethel’s telephone rang as Beth walked toward the elevator.

  “Miss Sutton,” Ethel called. “Mr. Mertz would like a word with you.”

  Beth’s heart dropped to her feet. She faced the secretary. “Mr. Mertz? How did he know I was here?”

  “I suggest you don’t keep him waiting.” Ethel gestured to his office.

  Beth tightened her grip on her telegram and car keys and shakily made her way to the double doors guarding her boss’s office. She squared her shoulders as she stepped inside. After what occurred during her last meeting with him, she could count on him to try to intimidate her into submission, especially in Aidan’s absence.

  To her utter surprise, Mr. Mertz rose from his desk upon her entry, something he’d never done with her before. Most perplexing was that he was smiling. Not in a menacing manner, but in what seemed like a true welcome.

  “Why, good afternoon, Miss Sutton!”

  Beth kept a strong lock on her jaw to prevent from gaping at him. After bridling her shock, she gave a wary smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Mertz.”

  “Please, have a seat.” He motioned to one of the vacant chairs in front of his desk. The expansive grin remained plastered on his face.

  “Thank you,” she replied, reeling over the fact he actually said please. It gave her hope that the meeting would progress in her favor.

  She placed her telegram and car keys on the desk and sat down.

  Mr. Mertz took his seat, too. “I’m aware you’re on your lunch break, so I will make this brief.”

  Beth linked her hands in her lap. “Thank you, sir.”

  “I know you and Aidan Evans were at Romanoff’s on Valentine’s Day, and my sources tell me you two looked quite romantic on the dance floor.”

  Beth opened her mouth to protest but could not find the proper words.

  “And don’t say you were out together because you’re costars and have mutual friends.” Mr. Mertz gave her a pointed look, yet somehow his smile remained intact. “You used that excuse at Mr. Evans’ race in Santa Barbara, and I found out recently, in Las Vegas, too. It will no longer work with me.”

  “Yes, we were at Romanoff’s on Valentine’s Day.” Beth’s voice squeaked like a window being cleaned. “But it’s not what you think. You see, Aidan and I were rehearsing a scene beforehand and—”

  “Come now, Miss Sutton.” Mr. Mertz let out a hearty chuckle. “Do you really expect me to believe you two are costars and nothing more?”

  Beth responded with the only excuse she could muster. “We are just costars, sir. Like we told you before, we want to perfect our performances by working on our scenes together as often as possible.”

  Mr. Mertz leaned back in his chair, his bulging belly pushing against the fastened buttons of his suit jacket. “I’m not angry, Miss Sutton. I just don’t appreciate being lied to. Now, please come clean about the true nature of your relationship with Mr. Evans. Your contract is safe, you have my word.”

  Beth’s conscience hollered at her to tell the truth like she had longed to do for several months. On the other hand, she wasn’t sure if this was a trick. Her boss had proven in the past he had a nasty side to him, and she didn’t know if she could trust him. Then there was the fact that she had no idea why he was now willing to accept her relationship with Aidan when before he ordered her to keep her distance.

  “Your role in Golden Gloves is safe, too, as is Mr. Evans’ role,” Mr. Mertz added.

  As Beth surveyed her boss’s amicable expression, she actually believed him. “I don’t understand, sir. You said if I associated with Aidan outside of the studio, I’d be punished. And now you’re changing your mind?”

  “I’ve watched the Golden Gloves rushes, and although there is still a long way to go until the film is finalized, I like what I’ve seen so far. If a real life romance enhances your onscreen chemistry, then I’m all for it. It means more favorable notices and higher ticket sales when the picture is released.”

  Beth chose her next words carefully. “So if Aidan and I were romantically involved, you would publicly support our relationship?”

  Mr. Mertz’s grin vanished. “I will only allow you to continue seeing each other if you keep your relationship out of the papers. On Valentine’s Day, you blended in with other studio employees, so no harm was done. It’s the movie-going public I want to hide the truth from.”

  “If the film is a success, why would you want us to hide our relationship?” Beth blushed. “I mean, if we were in a relationship.”

  “I’m still not completely convinced that the public would be pleased with a real life romance, even if they approve of your onscreen pairing,” he said curtly. “That is why, as part of our agreement today, I insist you keep it hidden for now. Perhaps, one day, I can work it out so you two can publicly announce your relationship, but currently, it’s not an option.”

  “But, sir, if you publicly support our relationship now, there’s a chance it might increase ticket sales for Golden Gloves even more.”

  Mr. Mertz scowled. “Miss Sutton, I will not gamble with your career or Golden Gloves’ success after all the time and money I have invested into both. After the film’s release, if it is well received, I will plant test items regarding a possible real life romance between you and Mr. Evans in magazines and see what happens. If the reactions are favorable, I will consider publicly supporting you, but certainly not before.”

  Beth regarded him apprehensively.

  His face softened. “Miss Sutton, I am simply protecting my investments. Besides, you wouldn’t want any missteps brought on by your persistence to out your relationship prematurely to sink Golden Gloves before it has a chance to thrive, would you?”

  “I see what you mean, sir. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. After all, you know this business better than I do. And you’re right—I definitely wouldn’t want to do anything that might hinder Golden Gloves’ success.”

  Mr. Mertz folded his hands on his desk. “I have high hopes for you and believe everything will work out in your favor, if you are patient.”

  “You really think one day Aidan and I won’t have to hide our relationship anymore?”

  Mr. Mertz’s wide grin reappeared. “Absolutely.”

  Beth exhaled in relief. “That’s wonderful to hear, sir. Thank you.”

&nb
sp; Mr. Mertz stood from his desk and walked around to her side. He dragged the nearest vacant chair toward him and sat in front of her, leaning in close enough that she felt his stale breath against her face.

  “First, I need you to officially confirm your relationship with Mr. Evans.”

  A strange warning drifted across Beth’s nape. “My career is safe, right?”

  “My dear girl.” Mr. Mertz placed his hand on her knee. If Beth thought she felt a chill before, that was nothing compared to the glacial reaction she had now. “Why would I terminate your career when you have more than proven you’re an asset to my studio? Withholding the truth about your relationship with Aidan from the public is simply a precaution until after Golden Gloves is released. I already told you I’m optimistic about the motion picture, so I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t support the two of you later on. The outcome is tilting in your favor.

  “Now, I know you are seeing each other romantically. That much is clear. But it’s much deeper than that, isn’t it?” Mr. Mertz curled his fingers over her knee in a gentle manner, but her stomach roiled. “Tell me, Miss Sutton, how far has your relationship progressed? And I warn you—do not insult my intelligence any longer.”

  “You are correct, sir.” Beth dropped her gaze but refused to look at his hand on her knee. “Aidan and I are in love.”

  She drew in a sharp breath, waiting for the backlash.

  “Well, isn’t that nice.” Surprisingly, Mr. Mertz’s reply was void of contention. “As long as you two don’t cause trouble for me and agree to keep your relationship a secret for now, I’m happy for you.”

  “All right, then.” Beth squirmed in her seat. The weight of his hand was unbearable. “Yes, I will agree to your terms.”

  “That’s a good girl.” Mr. Mertz moved his hand above her knee. Before her uneasiness overwhelmed her, he patted her thigh and stood, motioning to the door with a large grin on his face again. “You better get back to the set, Miss Sutton.”

  Beth rose from her seat and picked up her telegram and car keys. She put on her best smile. “It was a pleasure speaking with you, sir.”

  Mr. Mertz replaced the chair he used to its proper position. “And you as well, Miss Sutton.”

  Beth turned toward the door.

  “Oh, and Miss Sutton?” Mr. Mertz’s gruff manner returned.

  She regarded him quizzically over her shoulder. “Yes, sir?”

  “William Everett will escort you to the Academy Awards.” He flipped through a file folder on his desk. “However, given your role with Aidan in Golden Gloves, I find it fitting that the two of you be photographed together on the red carpet. Therefore, you have my permission to pose with him in a professional capacity.”

  Beth placed her hand to her heart. “Golly, that’s wonderful. Thank you, sir!”

  He nodded curtly. “That will be all, Miss Sutton.”

  Beth left his office with a large smile on her face. She waved good-bye to Ethel and Caroline after they informed that her Nathan still hadn’t returned, and made an eager trip back to the soundstage.

  Aidan interrupted his conversation with one of the camera operators upon her arrival.

  “Come with me. I have some great news.” She gripped his forearm, leading him off set and into her dressing room.

  “What is it?” he asked, shutting the door.

  Beth took his hands in hers and swung them side-to-side. “Nathan got called away, so we couldn’t have our meeting, and then Mr. Mertz—”

  “Mertz what?” Aidan yanked out of her grasp.

  “Let me finish explaining, please.”

  Aidan’s nostrils flared. “Go on.”

  “Mr. Mertz told me he’d heard from multiple sources that you and I were at Romanoff’s together on Valentine’s Day as a romantic couple.”

  Aidan shoved his hands through his hair. “Man, I knew that was a bad idea.”

  Beth giggled. “Will you let me finish?”

  Aidan jammed his hands into his pockets, sulking like a child. “Fine.”

  “Mr. Mertz asked me if we were seeing each other romantically. He promised if I admitted the truth that he would allow us to continue doing so, as long as we kept our relationship a secret from the public for the time being.”

  Aidan’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you did.”

  “Of course I did.” Beth waved her hand vaguely, ignoring his incredulous expression. “I told him we were in love, and we’d continue to keep it hidden until he felt it was all right to come out publicly with the news.”

  “Damn it, baby, what were you thinking?”

  She placed her hand on her hip. “I also told Mr. Mertz that I was suspicious of his change in tune, but he said after watching the Golden Gloves rushes, he expects great things from the film and sees no reason why the public won’t approve of our relationship. He just wants to make sure before he openly supports us.”

  Wariness clouded Aidan’s eyes like an approaching storm. “He actually told you he was okay with us seeing each other?”

  “Yes, isn’t that exciting?”

  “No way.” Aidan paced the room. “The man’s got something up his sleeve. You may have put your career at risk with your confession.”

  “Think about it, Aidan. Mr. Mertz can’t fire me over this! I have Venus Rising coming out soon, which already has a lot of positive buzz, and he’s sunk so much money into Golden Gloves, he won’t halt production now. He’s looking to profit from our onscreen pairing, so why not off-screen, too, if the public accepts us together?”

  Aidan turned to her. The air between them was charged and heavy. “You should’ve gotten Mertz to put it in writing or something. Call Saul. Maybe he can draft up a—”

  “It’s best not to get too many people involved. If I tell Mr. Stern, then Mr. Mertz will be cross with me because we’re supposed to be keeping our relationship a secret.”

  Aidan threw his hands up in the air. “It doesn’t make any damn sense, baby! Why would Mertz accept us now, yet before Christmas, he didn’t even want us in the same vicinity?”

  “At that time, we hadn’t filmed any of Golden Gloves, so he hadn’t seen the rushes.”

  Aidan shook his head. “Regardless of how easygoing Mertz may seem about all this, the guy can’t be trusted.”

  “I didn’t think so, either, but considering I walked out of his office with my contract intact and zero punishment, I believe he’s actually telling the truth about supporting us. Just think—there will be no more spies hanging around the set. We can go out in a group like we did on Valentine’s Day without worrying if he’ll find out and reprimand me for it. It’s not exactly what we wanted, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

  Aidan scowled. “That’s another thing. I don’t like that Mertz has set ground rules for our relationship and wants to use our love for his own financial gain. We’re not his goddamn puppets.”

  “If the time comes, let him promote us to the papers. As long as we’re together, who cares?”

  “I care.” Aidan’s eyes illuminated with a fierce, feral passion. “When it comes to you, baby, I care a hell of a lot. It’s up to me to protect you.” He drove his hands through his hair again. “Damn it, I wish you’d told him you’d get back to him and talked to me first before admitting everything.”

  Beth frowned. “I don’t need you taking care of everything for me.”

  Aidan hung his head and rubbed his temples. “You said Mertz won’t fire you now, but what if he fires you after the Golden Gloves buzz has died down?”

  “That won’t make any sense from a business standpoint. If the film is a hit, like we expect it to be, Mr. Mertz will want to cast me in more films to capitalize on my popularity. And you’re always safe because you’re not under contract.”

  “Something tells me this isn’t over.” Aidan’s words sounded low and dangerous, spoken through lips that barely moved. “If Mertz is lying to you…” He closed his eyes, as if seeking divine guidance, but Beth knew
better.

  She linked her hands behind his neck. “Please, Aidan, can’t you be happy for us? I’m willing to have faith in Mr. Mertz if it means we can be together without interference from him. What do you say?”

  Aidan snaked his arms around her waist and dropped his chin to her shoulder.

  “This is going to turn out badly, baby. I just know it,” he said, but he clung to her like he hoped he was wrong.

  Beth stroked his hair, winding the wild strands around her fingers. “Well, how about this for added assurance—Mr. Mertz said we’re allowed to pose together on the red carpet at the Academy Awards to promote Golden Gloves. He wouldn’t have sanctioned that if he truly wanted to keep us apart, right?”

  Aidan’s features softened. “Promise me if Mertz pulls something like this again you’ll talk to me first before agreeing to anything.”

  “But Aidan—”

  “Promise me, Beth.”

  He looked so concerned she couldn’t dare refuse him. “I promise.”

  Aidan brought his lips to hers. Beth immersed in their kisses until a knock at the door interrupted them.

  “Hello? Beth?” Nathan called from the hallway.

  Beth stepped out of Aidan’s arms and straightened her dress. “Come in.”

  Nathan opened the door and entered the dressing room, looking as dapper as usual in his charcoal gray suit and fedora.

  “Sorry I missed you. I—” He caught sight of Aidan and his grin widened in warm recognition. “Oh, hey, I didn’t know you were in here, too.”

  “Hey, Nate.” Aidan sounded quieter than usual.

  Nathan removed his fedora. “Beth, I’m sorry I missed our meeting. After I handed over the telegram, I received an urgent call from Luther regarding a matter that had to be resolved immediately on the other side of the lot. I tried to catch the messenger, but he was long gone by then.”

  Aidan eyed Nathan skeptically. “What was the urgent matter you had to resolve?”

  “It’s the strangest thing. Apparently, one of the lighting technicians on Marlene Dietrich’s new film was in a rift with one of the sound guys. Usually, Luther’s union representative deals with such matters, but he was on lunch…” Nathan waved his hand frivolously. “Anyway, whatever serious issue they were having was resolved in the time it took me to drive over there. Everything was under control by the time I arrived.”