Beth watched their exchange, wondering how they knew each other.
“What are you doing at my rehearsal?” Lydia tapped her foot impatiently.
Aidan’s jaw tensed. “I was taking a break. Not that it’s any of your business.”
Lydia glared over his shoulder at Beth. “I see.”
Aidan removed the cigarette from behind his ear and a matchbook from the pocket of his jeans. Tossing Beth a parting look, he stepped around Lydia and headed for the front of the stage.
He paused to light up and then leapt off the stage, continuing his trek down the aisle to the exit. A stream of sunlight appeared as he opened the rear door and stepped outside, his cigarette dangling from his lips.
As the door slammed shut behind him, Lydia looked at Beth with her eyebrows raised. “What were you two talking about?”
Beth was struggling to come up with a plausible cover story when Jack and Ryan stumbled onto the stage. They stopped their horseplay when they saw Lydia’s annoyed expression.
“What’s wrong with you, Lyds?” Jack asked with a chuckle.
“Nothing.” She stalked off across the stage and took her position.
“What’s her problem?” Ryan mumbled.
“It’s always something with her,” Jack whispered. His eyes lit up when he saw Beth. “Hey, you look well. I guess you had a productive rehearsal while we were gone.”
Lydia rolled her eyes.
“Yes, it was a very productive break.” Beth didn’t bother to hide her smile.
Ryan clapped his hands together once. “Okay, now that we’re all refreshed, let’s get back to business.”
Beth and Jack took their marks, and Ryan returned to his seat in the fourth row. They ran through the routine again, and this time, Beth performed without incident. At the end of the song, she threw her hands up and smiled triumphantly, finally feeling confident in her ability to complete the film successfully. Her only wish was that Aidan could’ve seen her just now.
Jack placed his hands on her shoulders from his place behind her. “Wonderful job!”
She turned around, struggling to catch her breath. “Thanks.”
Ryan rose from his seat. “Excellent, everyone. Now let’s try it again.”
Beth groaned.
Jack winked at her. “Remember, practice makes perfect.”
“It’s going to take a lot more than practice to bring her up to speed,” Lydia remarked, adjusting the bobby pins in her hair.
Beth dismissed her costar’s negativity. She’d done a good job and didn’t require Lydia’s approval.
As she prepared to start the number again, she focused on the darkness at the back of the theater, where she now knew Aidan had watched her rehearsals several times before. After her conversation with him, she anticipated the Spike Rollins premiere even more. Next week couldn’t arrive fast enough.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Aidan closed his eyes and let his hands glide across the black and white keys. As the music drifted around him, he thought about Beth, who inspired him to write this song and play it with such fervor.
For many years, playing piano reminded him of the loss of his mother, but now, as he focused on the fulfillment the melody provided him, he was able to overcome his guilt and despair, and hoped one day soon, he could play for Beth and possess the same confidence.
In the days following his last encounter with her, the tune replayed in Aidan’s mind and he assumed he’d heard it on the radio or somewhere else. He soon realized he had composed the song himself, and ended up at this music shop to see if he could recreate it on the piano. As he played it for the first time, it sounded even more beautiful coming from the instrument than it did in his mind.
Resting his fingers on the keys, Aidan brought the piece to its conclusion. The final notes faded, immersing the shop in silence.
“Bravo! Bravo!”
Aidan’s eyes shot open. Louis Myers, the storeowner, stood with an elderly woman beside the piano. Both were clapping. When Aidan started playing, Lou was in the back checking inventory and there were no customers in the store. Aidan hadn’t noticed their approach and wondered how long they’d been standing there.
“Wonderful, simply wonderful!” the elderly woman said. “What on earth is that tune? I can’t recall its name.”
Aidan placed his hands in his lap and looked down. “It’s an original piece.”
“An original. How delightful! Where did you learn to play piano so beautifully? You don’t even have any sheet music.”
“Ma’am, Aidan never requires sheet music when he plays,” Lou said. “He comes in here all the time and plays many tunes, without looking at any notes at all. The boy has it all up here.” Lou tapped his forefinger to his temple.
A tall, lanky man in his early seventies, Lou had owned this shop at the corner of Melrose and North Fairfax for over fifty years. Aidan stumbled upon the store a few weeks after he arrived in L.A. and they hit it off right away. When he mentioned that he didn’t have a piano of his own, Lou offered to let him come in and play during work hours. Many well-known and accomplished musicians had passed through the store over the years. Aidan was honored and grateful that Lou extended the same kindness to him.
The woman smiled. “It truly sounded lovely, Aidan.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans, relieved he didn’t have to answer her question regarding how he learned to play piano.
The woman removed her wallet from her purse and unzipped the back compartment.
“This is for you.” She placed a nickel on top of the piano and patted the top of his head. “What a dear boy you are.”
Aidan looked at Lou. He grinned back encouragingly. During their conversations, Aidan never mentioned he was working on a film for Starlight Studios, and he wondered if the storeowner thought he needed financial help, too. Aidan felt a twinge of guilt at the notion. Lou had worked hard for years in order to get here today, whereas he was rolling in dough after only a few months of filming Spike Rollins.
Aidan picked up the nickel.
“Ma’am, I don’t need the money, honest.” He stood up and held the coin out to her.
She waved him off. “Take it, my dear. I insist.”
Before Aidan could protest, she turned around and left the store. He offered the money to Lou instead. “Here, you take it. Add it to that children’s charity collection you have by the cash register.”
Lou eyed him skeptically. “Are you sure, Aidan?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Thanks, boy. That’s awfully nice of you.”
“Don’t mention it.” Aidan handed over the nickel. Although he had the funds to donate much more, he knew if Lou had a hard time taking five cents, there was no way the man would accept a greater amount.
Lou walked over to the donation jar and dropped the coin inside with a clink.
Aidan glanced at his watch and was surprised to find it was almost noon. He closed the cover of the piano and stretched out his fingers.
“Thanks for allowing me to play here again, Lou.” He walked to the door. “I gotta get going, but I’ll see you around soon.”
“Anytime, Aidan.” Lou began sorting through a small stack of receipts. “Take care.”
Aidan removed his sunglasses from his shirt collar and left the store. As he put on his shades and walked toward his motorcycle, he spotted a newspaper stand on the corner. He knew his penchant for checking the entertainment section every day for items written about Beth was pitiful, but much like watching her in Checkmate, he couldn’t help it. With any luck, he would see her in a few days at his premiere, but he’d fallen so hard for her that even a few days seemed like a lifetime.
Lately, checking the papers had actually paid off. He read about Beth’s Venus Rising rehearsals and learned that Mr. Mertz scheduled the Sparkling Meadow premiere at the Astor Theater in New York.
Preston and Mr. Mertz believed the press promoted Spike Ro
llins well enough already, so Aidan didn’t need to conduct a promotional tour. It was just as well, because he would’ve refused anyway. The two men were probably well aware of this fact, which was why they hadn’t pushed the issue. The upcoming star-studded premiere was all Aidan agreed to attend.
Aidan paid for the newspaper and flipped through it. After he found the entertainment section, he tossed the other sections into the garbage and scanned Ms. Hooper’s gossip column. There wasn’t an article on Beth. Much to his aggravation, however, there was one written about him. He skimmed through it, and by the time he was finished, he was ready to punch something—preferably one of Ms. Hooper’s crazy hats right off her head.
The article didn’t mention Aidan specifically, but the columnist had a way of making sure her blind items weren’t really that blind. If he didn’t have plans at The Brown Derby in twenty minutes, he would’ve stopped by Ms. Hooper’s house to give her a piece of his mind.
Good day, my wonderful readers! There is much on my agenda today, but I’ll start with the most fascinating item.
A little birdie over at Starlight Studios told me that a certain temperamental Method actor stopped by rehearsals of Luther Mertz’s newest star-studded musical to catch a glimpse of a certain gorgeous redheaded dancer. My source tells me there is some history between these two young stars, which cooled in the spring. Could it be they’ve rekindled their old flame?
I have no confirmation as of yet, but I can tell you confidently that this male newcomer, who has a premiere coming up in just a few days, did in fact show up to watch this dancing beauty specifically.
This columnist is convinced that even if she is over him, he is most definitely not over her. Will these two resume their tango of love or step on each other’s toes again? Only time will tell, my lovelies!
With a curse, Aidan crumpled the newspaper and dumped it into the garbage. He had no doubt Lydia Dale was responsible for the story. She was the only one who had reason to exaggerate their past and set to profit from it. However, she wasn’t a little birdie like Ms. Hooper said. She was a vulture.
During Aidan’s first week in Los Angeles, he was so desperate to stay awake that he went out to one of the most popular joints in Hollywood because he knew it would be dark and packed with people. As he nursed a beer at the bar, Lydia sat down beside him. She already knew who he was and he was well aware of what she wanted from him; the predatory look in her eyes confirmed she wasn’t the virtuous type, despite her onscreen image.
Although Aidan had often sought the company of women in New York, those days were long over, and he now focused on getting through the lonely nights on his own. Consequently, he knew no matter how desperate he was to stay awake all night he wouldn’t leave the bar with Lydia.
As she droned on about herself, Aidan remained silent and hunched over his beer, feeling too tired to fight his way to the door. When she eventually invited him back to her house, he refused and she got angry. She demanded to know why he sat with her for the last hour if he was uninterested in leaving with her. Aidan stayed quiet, believing he didn’t owe her any explanation, not to mention that she had done all the talking and he never once led her on.
After Lydia finished her verbal tirade, she grabbed her purse and stormed off. About an hour later, Aidan returned to his apartment, exhausted. He fell asleep by accident and awoke in a cold sweat, shaking from another nightmare. Even then, he didn’t regret refusing Lydia’s offer. He went with the devil he knew instead.
The truth was that Aidan had watched the Venus Rising rehearsals strictly for Beth. Two weeks ago, he walked out of the editing room to grab some food and spotted Jack Peters entering the building across the way. He knew Jack was in the musical with Beth and his curiosity got the best of him. He waited a few minutes and then followed Jack inside.
Aidan only watched Beth for a few moments because he didn’t want her to catch him. As he left, he told himself he wouldn’t return. His plan didn’t stick. He returned every day during his lunch break for a week. Beth made a few mistakes during the routines, but she tried hard, and after watching her dance at Romanoff’s, he knew she had what it took to succeed. It made him mad that Lydia was giving her such a hard time, but he couldn’t say anything without making his presence known.
The day Beth and Aidan actually talked he had left the editing room later than usual. By the time he walked into the rehearsal theater, the cast had already broken for lunch and Beth was alone under the piano, crying. It reminded him of the months following his mother’s death when he sat under his bed and wept, and how alone he felt when his father never came to comfort him.
Aidan understood Beth’s pain, even though the sources of their sorrows varied drastically. He couldn’t bear to see her looking so upset and not do something. He needed her to know she wasn’t alone.
Their conversation had its rough patches, but overall, it went better than their lunch at the commissary months ago. He was just grateful Beth didn’t get mad or feel uncomfortable when he revealed he had watched her rehearse several times before that day.
Pushing Ms. Hooper’s column out of his mind, Aidan started the engine of his motorcycle and pulled out onto Melrose in the direction of The Brown Derby. The wind whipped through his hair and ruffled his T-shirt; a welcome relief after sitting in the stuffy music store all morning. He pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant on time and jogged up to the front entrance. From what he’d heard, The Brown Derby didn’t have a dress code, so he wouldn’t meet opposition from the doorman like he did at Romanoff’s.
Aidan removed his sunglasses and ran his hand through his hair. Inside, an employee standing behind a podium greeted him.
“Welcome to The Brown Derby, sir. Do you have a reservation?”
Aidan shoved his keys into his pocket. “Yeah, under Taggart.”
“Taggart, Taggart …” The host scanned his list. “Are you referring to Mr. Nathan Taggart?”
Aidan nodded.
The man shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see his name on his list. And I’m afraid we’re booked up for lunch today. You cannot get a table without a reservation.”
Aidan figured Nathan would’ve known if they needed a reservation. Then it dawned on him. “Try McKenna.”
The man smiled. “Ah, yes, McKenna, table for three. Mr. McKenna is already here. Right this way, sir.” He gestured for Aidan to follow him.
As they weaved around the tables, Aidan noticed caricatures of famous recording artists and Starlight Studios stars hanging on the walls. When he passed one of Mr. Mertz, he couldn’t help but smirk. The drawing was composed this year according to the date in the corner, and was generous, to say the least. The artist gave the studio boss a full head of hair and took at least fifty pounds off his frame.
The host stopped and gestured to an adjacent table. “Here you are, sir.”
Matthew McKenna sat at the table in a circular booth, smoking a cigarette, his suit pressed, his brown hair coiffed and shiny, and his mouth lifted in his signature smile.
“Hey, Aidan, have a seat. Nathan’s running late.”
Aidan had never met Matthew before and felt wary, especially since Connie was his girlfriend. He could only hope Nathan’s praise of the crooner was true.
Aidan leaned over the table and shook Matthew’s hand. “Hey, man, nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Matthew replied.
Aidan sat down.
“So you must be glad your movie is finally done,” Matthew said, breaking the silence between them. “I heard all about the FCC trouble and re-shoots.”
Aidan brought a cigarette to his lips. “Yeah, it was a goddamn nightmare. Now I just have to make it through the premiere.” He struck a match and lit up.
“Your premiere is all anyone around town is talking about. My girl is being forced to go and she’s dragging me with her.” Matthew cringed. “Sorry, that came out wrong. Anyway, Mr. Mertz has coached all of his stars to say good things about you, so pre
pare to get your ego stroked.”
Nathan slid into the booth, chuckling. “Good things about Aidan? Luther must be paying them extra.” He took off his fedora and hung it on the hook beside their table.
Aidan grinned and took a drag on his cigarette, tossing his matchbook onto the table. “Hey, watch it, Nate. Mertz will probably have you out there promoting my film, too.”
Nathan draped his arm along the back of the booth and settled into his seat. “Actually, my friend, you’re right. Even yours truly is attending your premiere. I’m escorting Olivia.”
“Oh, Aidan Evans is so mysterious and so dreamy,” Matthew said in an unnaturally high-pitched voice. He and Nathan doubled over in laughter.
Aidan tapped his ashes into a nearby ashtray. “Very funny, guys.”
“I’m telling you, Aidan,” Nathan said. “You’re going to be the fantasy of millions of teenage girls after your film opens—maybe a few housewives, too.”
Aidan chuckled, sending wisps of smoke into the air. His eyes drifted to the caricature mounted on the wall behind Matthew’s head.
“Hey, Matthew, is that you up there?” he asked, pointing to the portrait.
Matthew turned around and looked up. “Yup. Aren’t I a handsome devil?”
In the picture, Matthew wore a tuxedo and sang into a microphone below several spotlights. Musical notes floated out of his mouth with the words “La, La, La” written beside them. Most comical was the artist’s exaggeration of Matthew’s head and jovial expression.
“Hey, Evans, don’t laugh,” Matthew said. “Once your film opens, Jack Lane will want to draw your picture, and then your face will be up on the wall, too.”
Aidan smirked. “And let me guess, you sit at this table on purpose because your portrait is here.”
Matthew tapped his cigarette over an ashtray and flashed a sly grin. “Maybe.”
“La, la, la,” Nathan sang off-key, imitating the drawing. He burst out laughing again and Aidan and Matthew joined in. When the waiter came over to take their orders, he looked at them in amusement.
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