Page 9 of The Stars Over Hollywood

“Sure.”

Hayden tried not to dwell on the mysterious end to Tracy’s very short career. She’d had a really nice day with her, and the more time she spent with her, the more Hayden could see why Tracy had fit back into Ada and Charlotte’s lives so easily.

There was this almost magnetic energy about her, but it was always in an entirely laid-back way, and it was so refreshing to be around.

5

Tracy stood back from the full-length mirror, smoothing her hands down the front of her navy dress, her hair loosely curled and tossed over one shoulder. She sucked in a breath, unable to even remember the last time she’d worn a dress. It had been years since she’d been to a wedding, and any nights out hadn’t been formal enough to wear one.

But as she turned, still in her bare feet, she was actually pretty happy with how she looked. Sometimes, she couldn’t believe that she was so close to fifty. She didn’t feel it. She didn’t think she looked it either and this afternoon, standing in front of the mirror dressed like this only reminded her how much of it was down to her attitude about herself and life.

She’d given up on some dreams, but things still turned out okay. Better than okay. And this evening, she’d get to celebrate Ada’s big day with her, one of the very few people to.

So far, everything about this trip had been amazing. Last night’s dinner had been like a family gathering with old stories coming out, plenty of memories that someone had forgotten about, and Tracy heard a lot of new stories too, things she’d missed out on by not staying in touch.

From start to finish, yesterday had been a really good day. Tracy knew she’d go back to California recharged. She hadn’t realized how much she needed a few days away, and getting to spend so much time with friends who were like family was just an added bonus.

Today had been a lazy day for Tracy who’d gone for a drive before coming back to read outside for a few hours. She hadn’t wanted to get in the way of any last-minute preparations, but the day had flown by and it wouldn’t be long before the ceremony started outside on the lawn.

A light knock on her door took her away from her thoughts, and she padded over to the door, hoping there was nothing wrong, that the weather hadn’t changed or that Kerri wasn’t feeling well.

When she pulled the door open, her breath caught. Hayden looked absolutely stunning in a turquoise dress, her long blond hair swept up in an elegant up-do that made her seem more mature.

“Hey,” Hayden said, her blue eyes dazzling. “I’m so sorry to bother you, but I can’t get the clasp to close.” She pointed behind her neck.

“Yeah, sure. Come in.” Tracy closed the door behind her, shaking off the somewhat dazed feeling that had come over her.

“You look great, by the way,” Hayden said with a smile, her eyes openly looking her up and down.

“Thank you.” Tracy swallowed down a similar comment, not knowing why she was afraid to say what she was thinking, that Hayden looked amazing.

Hayden turned her back to her, and Tracy’s fingers fumbled with the clasp for a second, needing a few attempts to get it, aware of the way her fingers were brushing over Hayden’s warm skin.

Tracy’s hands fell away, and Hayden turned to face her.

“Thanks,” Hayden said softly. In her heels, she was the same height as Tracy was in her bare feet.

Tracy searched her crystal blue eyes. “We should probably head outside,” she said.

“Yeah.” Hayden held her gaze for another second before moving past her to open the door.

Tracy took one last look in the mirror, holding the door open for Hayden who had an odd expression on her face.

“You going barefoot?” Hayden asked, glancing down at Tracy’s feet. “Nice tattoo though.”

Tracy exhaled, looking down at her feet and the sea turtle tattoo that covered most of her right foot. “No. But thanks.” She left Hayden by the door and sat on the edge of the bed to slide her feet into her heels.

Hayden was smiling as Tracy got up to join her. “You nervous?”

“No. I don’t what that was about.” Tracy swallowed down the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat as they made their way to the kitchen to head outside with Lara and Charlotte.

As the followed the path down to the edge of the property, the sun sinking lower in the sky, Tracy struggled to process what had just happened.

Yes, she could acknowledge that Hayden was attractive. She thought she had. But whatever just happened in her room was not that.Tracy’s breath had stalled, her mind blank as she took in Hayden standing in her doorway.

Tracy couldn’t think about any of that now. She was filing into the second row alongside Hayden to the right of the path that had been covered in white carpet for the ceremony. Lara and Charlotte sat on the other side, with Sydney’s three friends. Behind Tracy were two women that Ada had worked with for years, a director in her fifties and another actress who Tracy had only spoken to for a few minutes since they’d arrived.

Sydney came outside a few minutes later, chatting with all of them. She was glowing in all black, dressed in skinny slacks with a perfectly tailored suit jacket over a thin, lacy black blouse, her hair flowing across her shoulders in waves.

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