Starbright by Alexandra Richland Read Free Book Online Page B

everything.”
    “It’s only something to keep in mind, that’s all,” Connie said reassuringly. “We’re not pressuring you. Come to me when you’re ready and I’ll help you set up an appointment.”
    “All right, I will.” Beth collected her purse and followed Olivia and Connie across the room.
    “Before we go, I think we should complete one more exercise. A group exercise.” Olivia smiled mischievously. “We each choose a word we covered here today and yell it at the top of our lungs.”
    Beth’s mouth dropped open. “What about Connie’s household staff? They’ll hear us!”
    “Don’t worry.” Connie fluttered her hand. “They won’t mind.”
    Beth regarded her incredulously. “How can they not mind?”
    “Come on, Beth.” Olivia nudged her in the ribs. “Are you in or not?”
    Beth sighed. “I guess so, but one of you has to go first.”
    “I’ll start,” Connie said.
    The three women stood in a circle and joined hands.
    “Ready?” Olivia said. “Go!”
    “Clitoris!” Connie yelled.
    “Vagina!” Olivia shouted.
    Beth drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes. Connie gave her hand an encouraging squeeze.
    “Penis!”
    “What on earth?”
    Beth’s eyes shot open. Matthew stood agape in the doorway, his fedora clutched to his chest.
    “Oh, goodness!” She covered her face with her hands as laughter exploded around her, the loudest coming from Matthew.
    “Sorry to interrupt your, uh, whatever the heck that was,” Matthew said through his chuckles. “I’ve come to pick up Connie for our date.”
    “Beth, I’d say you passed your test with flying colors!” Connie wiped the tears from her eyes, still laughing. “The only thing that would’ve been better is if Aidan walked in on us instead!”
    Beth’s stomach churned at the thought.
    Matthew gave her a hearty pat on the back. “I didn’t know you had it in you, Sutton. Good job!”
    As Beth looked around at her friends, she couldn’t help but laugh as well. Never in her life did she expect to be caught in such an unfortunate situation. If she couldn’t laugh about it now, there was no hope in her becoming more comfortable with Aidan intimately.
    Matthew slinked his arm around Connie’s waist. “So, this game you’re playing… can I play, too?”
    “Sorry, honey, but it’s for us women only.” Connie pulled him in for a tender kiss.
    Matthew dropped his forehead to hers. “Maybe you and I can play our own game later on,” he said, his voice sultry and suggestive.
    Connie winked. “Only if I can call you Fabio.”
    She burst into laughter again, and Beth and Olivia joined in. Matthew looked confused but ended up laughing, too.
    “How was the move?” Olivia asked.
    “So far so good.” Matthew tossed his fedora onto the bureau. “I had to leave early because Connie and I are going out, but Nate and Aidan should be finished soon. We thought it would take the entire weekend, but it looks like that won’t be the case. They said they’d call you two when they’re done.
    This morning, before helping Aidan with the move, Nathan accompanied Beth and Olivia on their visit to the house Olivia spoke about over Thanksgiving dinner. Beth agreed it was perfect for them and put in an offer with Olivia after Nathan promised her she’d get a contract extension. Now the deal was in the hands of Nathan and her business manager/agent, Saul Stern. They expected to hear if they were approved on Monday when the banks reopened. The deal was as good as done, though, since she and Olivia had enough money to purchase the house in cash.
    The current occupants were moving out closer to Christmas so that gave them plenty of time to prepare and give their current landlord notice. Beth looked forward to having more room, a backyard, and a place they actually owned instead of rented. Although the house wasn’t large or fancy, it was still far nicer than anything either of them had lived in before.
    Connie insisted her chauffeur drive Beth