Starbright (27 page)

“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 sounded 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 you!”

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.

The ballroom was adorned with standard New Year’s decorations, such as festive banners, ribbons, and streamers. A quartet played a pleasant tune in the corner, and waiters walked around with trays of hors d’oeuvres and champagne. Party favors were also provided.

Upon their reunion, Matthew kissed Connie like they had been separated for years, and a crowd of well-wishers quickly surrounded them. Beth, Aidan, Nathan, and Olivia parted with the couple on the promise of meeting up with them again later that night.

Beth watched with envy as Nathan put his arm around Olivia while they spoke with a famous actor and his wife, who were equally affectionate with each other. It seemed like everyone at the party was paired off except her and Aidan.

With his hands unfairly planted in his pockets, Aidan leaned into her ear. “Would you like anything to drink, baby?”

Beth’s irritation melted under his warm gaze. “Champagne, please.”

A party guest brushed past her and she stumbled, finding it difficult to maintain her balance. A flush stole across her cheeks as Aidan grabbed her upper arm and stepped against her, using his strong body to steady her.

He regarded her with concern. “Maybe water is a better idea. I think they have some at the bar.”

“You better let go of me.” Beth giggled, unable to help herself. “We wouldn’t want to give people the wrong idea.”

The corners of Aidan’s mouth turned downward. He removed his hand from her arm and slipped it back in his pocket. “I’ll get some water, too. That way we can toast at midnight.”

Beth’s gaiety took a nosedive.

“It’s the least we can do,” she muttered.

Aidan brushed his hand against hers, his gaze a tragic mix of compassion and sorrow. “Hey, I don’t like this any more than you do, you know.”

Beth’s expression sobered. “I know. I’m sorry.”

His face softened. “I’ll be right back, okay? Stay close to Nate and Olivia ’til I return.”

Beth glanced at the clock mounted on the wall. Only seven minutes remained until midnight. She thought about suggesting they return to their suite and ring in the New Year with a proper kiss, but it would be rude to leave their friends.

The nod she gave him made her head spin unpleasantly. “All right. See you in a few minutes.”

“You can count on it.” With a dazzling grin, Aidan left for the bar.

Beth was alone for only a moment before Jack approached.

“Did you enjoy Matthew’s show? That was some proposal, huh? Constance must be over the moon.”

Beth touched her angel pendent, fighting against the temptation to watch Aidan from afar. “Yes, it was wonderful.”

“What are you doing standing all by yourself?”

The champagne gave her the courage to admit the truth. “I’m not completely alone. I was talking to Aidan Evans prior to your arrival.”

“It’s too bad you got stuck with him because you’re the only two single people in your group.” Jack crinkled his nose. “I’m still surprised Matthew and Nathan like the guy.”

Despite her efforts, Beth’s gaze floated to the bar, where Aidan stood in queue.

“He’s not so bad,” she said quietly.

“Ryan and I tried to give you break by sitting between the two of you before the concert.”

Beth frowned at the memory. She decided to change the subject before she said something she shouldn’t. “Where is Ryan, anyway?”

“Restroom.” Jack perused the crowd. “I hope he gets back before midnight.”

Beth offered a tiny smile. “It’s nice you two came together. Just because you don’t have dates doesn’t mean you need to be alone on New Year’s Eve.”

A blush tinted Jack’s cheeks. “That’s what we thought, too.”

Beth peeked at the clock and then focused back on the bar. Aidan was no longer in line. She scanned the ballroom. He moved through the crowd in her direction. His hands were empty. She didn’t mind there wasn’t time for him to get their drinks. In fact, her snarky comments to him earlier about their unjust situation now seemed petty. She would be happy as long as she was in his company at midnight.