Stardust (The Starlight Trilogy #3) (32 page)

Although Aidan purchased a Steinway grand piano—which he currently played in the parlor—he loved his mother’s scuffed upright piano most. Therefore, it was fitting he had the instrument restored and then donated it to GWA. When they visited the camps, Aidan gave piano lessons to the children. Watching him with the young boys and girls was a treat. He shared his musical gift without a hint of fear, sadness, or apprehension—an amazing transformation from the tormented twenty-three-year-old man who played for her for the first time in Lou’s Music Shop in Los Angeles.

Tonight, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts was hosting a benefit to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of GWA, with Beth and Aidan as the guests of honor. Arrangements for the event had been ongoing for months, with their dear friends, Olivia and Nathan Taggart, Constance Murphy, and Matthew McKenna at the helm. Although the exact anniversary date was in July, they wanted to hold the benefit after the camps finished for the year so the planning wouldn’t overlap with camp preparations. This evening’s event was less about personal recognition and more about the additional exposure it would provide their cause. Every ticket had been sold, with one hundred percent of the profits going to GWA.

When Aidan drew the song to a close, Beth tiptoed into the parlor but stayed near the door. Sunlight streamed in through the window, gracing her husband with a spotlight as he launched into “Moonlight Serenade”, another one of her favorites.

As Aidan delved into the chorus, he noticed her standing in the doorway. A large grin sprung to his face, and the passion in his performance strengthened. He injected love and devotion into the tune until the final notes faded, immersing the apartment in silence.

Beth smiled as Aidan stood and approached her. Faint lines decorated his face, and some gray was scattered amongst his brown hair, but his dazzling grin and affectionate gaze were as youthful and fervent as when they first met. Even after all these years, he never failed to take her breath away.

“My beautiful little dove.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “When did you get home?”

“About ten minutes ago.”

Aidan wrapped his arms around her. “How was your final meeting with Lester?”

“Very productive.” She rested her cheek against his chest and closed her eyes.

Aidan pressed his lips to the top of her head. “You committed a lot of time to writing your memoir. Your fans will love it. I know they will. And I can’t wait to read it, either.”

Beth looked forward to Aidan reading it as well. Unbeknownst to him, she had written a forward, dedicating the entire book to him and their children.

The grandfather clock in the corner chimed, reminding them of the time. Hand in hand, they walked upstairs to their bedroom to start getting ready for the benefit. While Aidan showered and shaved in their en suite bathroom, Beth applied additional makeup, striving for an elegant evening look. She also changed into a shimmering navy blue gown with an open back and intricately patterned beading on the bodice.

Beth still considered herself slim but curvier than she’d been in her late teens, which was only natural after bearing two children. She was proud of her womanly figure. It showed that she was loved as both a wife and a mother.

In addition to selecting her favorite diamond earrings, she decided to wear the diamond angel pendant Aidan gifted her on their first Christmas together. Carrying the necklace, she opened the double French doors leading outside. A gentle fall breeze greeted her as she stepped barefoot onto the terrace, presiding over a panoramic view of Central Park.

Beth sensed, more than heard, Aidan’s approach. Her skin tingled, her heart sped up; she felt his burning gaze. When his arms encircled her waist from behind, she leaned back and sighed contently.

“You look stunning,” he whispered.

Beth turned around. His hair was wild, damp, and wavy, and his bow tie was undone, the loose ends hanging down his chest. He was the only man she knew who could pull off sexy, rebellious, and handsome while wearing a tuxedo.

She held up the necklace. “Can you put this on for me?”

Aidan’s eyes blazed with approval. “Absolutely.”

Beth placed her back to him again and lifted her hair, exposing her neck. Aidan draped the pendant over her chest and worked the clasp in the back, his fingers caressing her nape. When he was done, he held her close. They took a moment to watch the sunset and then returned inside.

After Beth fixed Aidan’s bow tie, he disappeared into their walk-in closet and emerged holding the ring she bought him on the same Christmas he’d purchased her necklace.

He held out the ring. “Would you do me the honor?”

“Of course.” Beth took his left hand and slid the ring on his middle finger next to his wedding band. They shared a tender kiss and then ventured downstairs, where Aidan helped Beth with her coat.

In the lobby, Benjamin, the full-time night security guard, greeted them. “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Do you need a car or have you arranged chauffeured transportation this evening?”

“I’ll be driving.” Aidan tossed Beth a sly glance. “I think we’ll go for a Porsche tonight.”

“Which one, sir?”

“The ’55 Spyder.”

Benjamin grinned. “Excellent choice, Mr. Evans.”

Beth and Aidan waited outside. Within minutes, Dean, one of the building’s valets, drove up in Aidan’s favorite Porsche. Aidan had purchased the car in the summer of 1955 to replace the one destroyed in his accident. It was his most prized possession in his collection of almost twenty cars and motorcycles.

Aidan opened the passenger door and ensured Beth was settled before taking his seat behind the wheel. After they snapped on their seatbelts, they were off, choosing to leave the rain top up for the drive.

When Aidan turned onto Columbus Avenue, his lips twitched into a smirk. “How about some speed, baby?”

Beth shrieked with delight as he gunned the engine and raced down the road. Just like old times.

“Honey?” She sat up straighter, squinting ahead. “What’s going on up there?”

Aidan decelerated. “I don’t know. There’s a bunch of people gathered—”

“You don’t suppose…?”

Aidan’s eyebrows furrowed. “Nah. The Lincoln Center isn’t for another few blocks.”

When they completed their next turn, Beth’s jaw dropped. Pedestrians gathered on the sidewalk, at least ten people deep, guarded by local police. The crowd grew in size the closer they got to the Lincoln Center.

Aidan stopped the car at a police checkpoint and rolled down his window. An officer peered inside. His eyes alighted with surprise.

“Mr. and Mrs. Evans, I expected you to arrive in a chauffeured limousine or something.”

Aidan nudged his chin at the crowd. “What’s going on?”

The officer’s brow creased. “Why, they’re hoping to get a glimpse of you and Ms. Sutton, of course.”

Beth’s eyes widened. “My goodness. I can’t believe it.”

“My colleagues and I were dispatched here this morning when the crowd first started to congregate,” the officer said. “We may end up closing this part of the street altogether if more people arrive. We’re happy to help, though. After all the good you’ve done with GWA, it’s the least we can do.” He gestured ahead. “Have a great night.”

Aidan parked at the valet stand in front of the Lincoln Center and they emerged from the car. The crowd roared. Reporters stood along the red carpet. Their flashbulbs illuminated the path to the entrance, which was packed with guests dressed in their best evening attire, channeling old Hollywood glamour. Beth and Aidan appeased as many of the reporters as possible as they made their way across Lincoln Plaza, answering questions about GWA and posing for photographs.

At the front door, a Lincoln Center employee handed them a program, outlining tonight’s schedule. When Aidan removed Beth’s coat at the coat check, his eyes feasted on her everywhere, as if he hadn’t already seen her in the dress at their apartment. Her heart palpitated as he pulled her in for a gentle kiss packed with the promise of more intimacy when they returned home later tonight.

Recent arrivals greeted the couple. Two of the guests included Lydia Dale and her son, Thomas.

Beth embraced him. “Thomas, it’s wonderful to see you again.”

Aidan nodded. “Yeah. It’s good to see you, Tom.”

Thomas shook Aidan’s hand. “I’m honored to be here.”

Lydia hugged Beth. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Beth returned her embrace.

Lydia offered her hand to Aidan. “You, too.”

He shook her hand, grinning politely. “Thank you for coming tonight.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” A flicker of past pain shot across Lydia’s face as she looked at her son.

In January of 1968, Lydia had reached out to Beth and Aidan when Thomas was diagnosed with cancer at the age of ten. Beth hadn’t spoken to Lydia in years until she showed up at their apartment with puffy, red eyes, looking so broken and frail, and on the brink of bankruptcy, begging for a moment of her and Aidan’s time. At first, Beth was suspicious of Lydia’s motives, but the desperation behind her former costar’s plea encouraged her to invite Lydia into her home.

Seated in their parlor, Lydia shared the deterioration of Thomas’ health and spirit and how she wanted him to attend the Golden Warriors camp in Connecticut in the summer, following his first round of chemotherapy. It had taken a lot of courage to come to them. She admitted she was fearful they’d turn her away. Regardless of their history, Beth was determined to help.

Becoming a mother had changed Lydia in the best possible way. She was no longer the selfish, conniving woman they once knew, though she did have a difficult few years before Thomas’ arrival. Lydia never found a love like Beth and Aidan’s. She had been married three times, the second marriage lasting no more than two months. She also battled alcohol addiction in the mid-1950s. Finding out she was pregnant had encouraged her to seek treatment, and thankfully, she had been sober since.

Lydia never married Thomas’ father, which was a big scandal in 1958. When Thomas was diagnosed with cancer, she abandoned acting to remain at his side. Her third husband offered no support and instead took off on frequent trips to Las Vegas, disappearing for weeks at a time and gambling away her money. It was after Lydia divorced him that she approached Beth and Aidan.

Thomas had been in remission since 1970, having beaten the bleak odds set against him by his doctors. He currently studied medicine at Columbia University, with a focus in oncology. Since he turned sixteen, he had also volunteered as a counselor at many Golden Warriors camps nationwide.

Lydia’s career took a negative turn throughout the 1970s when she tried to make a comeback after Thomas’ recovery. She appeared in many low budget films that lacked substance and were major box office flops. She persevered, though, drawing strength from her son, and in the last five years made a triumphant return to the industry via the Broadway stage.

Beth’s attention was redirected as Hannah and Nicholas arrived.

“Dad!” Hannah flung her arms around Aidan.

He returned the hug with equal excitement. “Hey, butterfly.”

Hannah’s nickname had come from the character she played in her only stage performance, which took place back in kindergarten. In true Method acting style—though she was only five years old at the time—she insisted on wearing her costume around the house and being called butterfly in the weeks leading up to the production. Although her enthusiasm toward acting didn’t stick, the nickname did.

“Hi, Mom!” Hannah hugged her mother next.

“Hi, sweetie.” Beth stepped back to admire her daughter. “You look beautiful.”

Her compliment wasn’t biased in the slightest. Hannah wore a gold-colored dress that complemented her dark curled hair, creamy skin, and slim figure. Beth couldn’t believe how fast the years had passed. It seemed like only yesterday she was reading her daughter bedtime stories. Now Hannah was an accomplished adult, living on her own—though, much to her parents’ delight, residing just a few blocks away from their apartment.

“Hey, Mom.” Nicholas flashed a half grin that transformed his usual intense expression into one belonging to a devoted son who was happy to see his mother.

Nicholas was handsome by the highest standards, with the same defined jawline and wavy brown hair as his Aidan, though he wore it in a shaggy style popular with young men these days. His good looks, combined with his intelligence, made him a sought after bachelor. Times had changed, however, and going steady at his age was no longer the norm. Nicholas dated regularly but was not linked to any woman specifically—at least, as far as Beth knew.

“Hey to you, too.” Beth embraced him tightly. At over six feet tall, he had to lean down to hug her properly. “I see you took the plunge and put on a tuxedo.”

Nicholas chuckled. “I figured if Dad could do it, so could I.”

As Nicholas greeted his father, Beth observed them fondly. Though Nicholas had inherited a mix of his parents’ physical features, Beth saw more of Aidan in him. Their mannerisms were so similar, from the confident yet casual way they carried themselves, to their baritone laughter, and the way they messed with their hair whenever they were deep in thought or nervous.

Beth’s gaze skipped to Thomas. He watched Hannah with an intensity she had often seen in her husband’s eyes whenever he looked at her over the years. Hannah and Thomas had spent time together whenever he was a camp counselor and she dropped in to teach music to the children, but Beth had never considered that Thomas felt anything for Hannah beyond friendship…until now.

Then Hannah locked eyes with Thomas and blushed, revealing yet another surprise: He wasn’t the only one with a crush.

Thomas was an introvert and bookworm. Hannah was not. Given what was said about the differences between her and Aidan during their courtship, however, Beth should’ve known better than to assume Thomas and Hannah were incompatible.

“Thomas and I are going to take our seats now.” Lydia linked arms with her son. “I hope you have a splendid evening. You deserve it.”