Murder in the First Edition (A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery Book 3) by Lauren Elliott

Author:Lauren Elliott
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2019-09-23T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“Can you believe we still have over a week and a half to get through this Christmas shopping frenzy?” Addie leaned her back against the door after seeing their last customer out.

Paige looked up from arranging the bottom shelf of the Children’s book section. “On the upside, I am enjoying the full-time hours right now. It really helps this time of year.”

Addie glanced at the colorful book Paige held in her hand. It was a cloth-bound, primary-level, board book edition of A Christmas Carol by Jennifer Adams. “I wonder if Patrick would take that in place of the missing book for the auction.”

Paige looked down at the book in her hand. “Well, it does have a price sticker on it for eight ninety-nine, so maybe.” She arched a sly brow.

Addie imagined adding a few zeros behind the paltry number and handing it over to that insufferable man. “I’d need to wrap it first.” A chuckle formed low in her belly as she pictured his face melting from surprised appreciation to stunned silence when he tore the wrapping paper off it. The chuckle grew until she felt she would burst. Her eyes watered, and she could barely make out Paige’s slightly cocked face, studying her. “Good heavens,” she snorted. “I’ve gone absolutely mad after today.” Addie clasped her aching side.

“Are you okay?” Paige grabbed her cell phone. “Should I call somebody? Maybe Serena? Or Simon?”

“I can just picture his face now.” Another fit of laughter seized her, and this time Paige joined in. Soon both were sitting on the floor, sprawled next to a pile of unstacked children’s books, tears streaking down their faces, and the occasional hiccup making them laugh even harder.

“Looks like I missed a good joke.” Simon stood with his hands on his hips, his head tilted to the side.

Addie gasped to catch her breath but snorted instead.

“You snorted. Again!” Paige whipped out a tissue from her pocket and waved it in the air. “I surrender. I’ll die unless I quit laughing.”

Simon looked from Addie to Paige and then broke out laughing in chorus with them. Addie stared. “Why are you laughing?” she choked out.

He shook his head. “I have no idea. Laughter’s contagious, I guess.” A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. And they were off again, tears streaming down their cheeks.

Addie held her aching side, trying to compose herself and put her manager’s hat back on. Only barely winning the struggle, she locked the door after Paige stumbled, still giggling, into the street. She pasted a serious look across her face. Simon wiped tears from his eyes. A smirk invaded her lips. Clearing her throat, she managed to speak relatively seriously. “Clearly, there’s nothing like a bit of silliness to relieve the stresses of the day.”

“I wish I hadn’t missed the joke and knew what it was I was laughing at.”

She waved her hand. “It was one of those things you had to be here for. Not as funny if I tell you. You’d think us nuts.

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