Starbright by Alexandra Richland Page A

Beth returned to the kitchen to remove her apron and tidy up. She informed Olivia about her plans, changed into a ribbon appliquéd cream taffeta cocktail dress, and attended to her hair and makeup with plenty of time to spare, which inspired her to surprise Aidan at his new house with the pie instead of him picking her up here. He lived close to her now so it wouldn’t take long to walk there and arrive before he left for her apartment. She was also curious to see what his new place looked like.
    To prepare for her trip, Beth wrapped up the pie and transferred the contents of her day purse into a smaller purse more suitable for the evening.
    “Liv!” she called on her way to the door.
    “Yes?” Olivia replied from her bedroom.
    “I’m walking to Aidan’s house. He was supposed to pick me up, but I want to surprise him.”
    Olivia stepped into the living room wearing a knockout black-and-blue, chiffon cocktail dress and high heels.
    Beth arched her eyebrows. “That’s beach attire?”
    Olivia winked. “I’m hoping I won’t be wearing it for long.”
    Beth giggled. “I suppose I shouldn’t wait up then if I get home before you.”
    She wished Olivia good night and left the apartment with her purse on her shoulder and the apple pie in hand.
    What greeted Beth outside was not the pleasant weather from earlier in the day. Clouds stretched across the sky like a dense cotton blanket, blocking the sun and casting the neighborhood in an eerie shadow. The wind had picked up, whipping her hair across her face and playing havoc with her dress. She gripped the pie tighter and marched on. The storm seemed to be concentrated in the distance, and she felt a growing hope she would make it before it became a threat.
    Beth walked up her street en route to Mortimer Drive. She was so giddy with the anticipation of how Aidan would receive her, she failed to notice how dark it had become outside.
    Lightning burst like flashbulbs from the photographers’ cameras when she posed on the red carpet. The eruption of thunder that followed sounded right overhead. Beth panicked as she looked upward, finally realizing the severity of her situation. The sky swirled in a mosaic of purple and gray, and the air had suddenly grown thick and humid. She felt a raindrop, followed by another. And another.
    She slowed her pace and considered turning around, but she was already more than halfway to Aidan’s house. At least the pie was protected.
    Lightning flashed and thunder cracked again, this time seemingly from all around her, putting extra zest in her step. By the time she reached Aidan’s street, she was walking through the center of a raging storm that soaked her hair and washed away her makeup.
    Her plan to look nice for Aidan was foiled. Now they’d have to return to her apartment before they went out, in order for her to change, which meant her intention to meet him at his house and have them leave from there was futile.
    Beth searched for the address on the nearest house, anxious for refuge from the storm. The numbers ascended on her journey up the block so she was walking in the right direction. They were odd, though, which meant she was on the wrong side of the street. Water splashed into her shoes and up her legs as she stepped into a puddle on her way across the road. It didn’t even faze her. She was drenched already.
    Finally, she reached Sixty Mortimer Drive. Aidan’s house was a quaint bungalow with a large front window and a rustic cabin exterior. Neither his car nor his motorcycle sat in the driveway, but there was a garage on the property, so they could’ve been parked inside.
    With a shudder, Beth stepped onto the covered front stoop and tapped the brass knocker against the door. Several moments passed without a response. She knocked again.
    Still no answer.
    Clutching the pie, she walked over to the front window to look inside, only to find the drapes drawn. She peered out at the storm. Should she wait it out before