Page 110 of Aria

I’d intended the smile to come off as comforting, but I feared all it said was…I’m sorry.

Beth didn’t smile back, but she did lace her fuchsia-tipped fingers with mine, as if to reiterate her earlier statement of…it’s okay.

“Marley’s… gosh, that brings back some memories,” Chelsie mused, her head still leaning against Lisa’s shoulder. “I think my whole life changed there.”

I tried to pinpoint whenmylife had changed and was brought back to a hotel room in Manhattan with a girl who had unknowingly spilled her guts to me.

“Those were some good times,” Devon agreed. “I had a lot of big moments there.”

Nostalgia swept through me, recalling how Chelsie had stormed out on us that first night after I’d pushed her buttons.Ballsy.She hadn’t cared how famous we were—she’d simply demanded respect.

Maybe I’d started falling for her right there in that V.I.P. lounge.

The limo rolled up to the side entrance where dozens of fans were already waiting. Word traveled fast. Two bouncers exited the building and assisted our group inside while we quickly dodged screaming women and frantic requests for autographs.

“I love you, Devon!”

“Noah Hayes is my soulmate!”

“Please have my children!”

“I hope you die, Chelsie!”

I froze as I ducked inside, canting my head to see who had threatened Chelsie. There were too many fans to pinpoint the culprit.

Glancing at her, I pressed my palm to the small of her back as a gesture of solace. “They’re just crazy fans,” I muttered softly into her ear.

She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, gifting me a weak smile as my fingers trailed down her spine, then fell away. “I know, but it’s not something I’ll ever get used to.”

“Fuck ‘em,” Devon piped up, staring into his cell phone. “Jealous ass bitches.”

Chelsie’s eyes were on me as she murmured back, “Yeah.”

We retreated up to our private V.I.P. quarters above the bar as two cocktail waitresses flittered around, pouring glasses of water and stocking the fridge with beer and champagne.

“I’m Tiffany,” one of the waitresses greeted, her eyes undressing me as she gave me a onceover. “Let me know if you need… anything at all.”

The only thing lower than her neckline was probably her IQ.

I raised an eyebrow, recalling a time when I would have eaten that shit up. It wasn’t even that long ago. “Sure,” I said flatly.

“Check this place out.”

My gaze traveled to Beth as she perused the lush suite. “Pretty cool, huh?”

She shrugged. “I guess if you’re into this sort of thing.”

I studied her with bewilderment.

Beth was a mystery. She never acted like she was hanging out with a celebrity, and I supposed that was part of why I found her intriguing. Her nonchalance to my notoriety was genuine, unlike most of the females I’d pursued. “Are you implying you’re not into this sort of thing?”

I was half-joking, but Beth hesitated and turned to face me, a rueful smile on her lips. “Noah… this isn’t for me.”

My amusement waned.

The truth was, I liked Beth. I’d been enjoying her company over the last couple of weeks, and I’d be lying if I said her admission didn’t tickle me with disappointment. “Do you want to talk?” I asked, feeling the eyes of my bandmates lingering in my direction.

“Sure.”

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