First Edition Romance

by Shannon M Harris

  “I’m ready to shop, if you’re ready to carry my things.”

  Ainslon reached behind the passenger seat, grabbed the two tote bags she kept stashed there, slipped one on her shoulder, then handed the other to Edna. Ainslon rolled her eyes at the look Edna gave the bags.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll carry them both when they’re full. Like always.”

  Edna slipped her arm through Ainslon’s and they walked from one end of the market to the other. Edna liked to check out all the vendors’ offerings before she made her final decisions, even though she always bought from the same vendors.

  On the way back to the front of the market, Ainslon’s eyes widened when she spotted Lauren and Callie ahead of them. She wanted to play off what had happened, but Edna was way too perceptive.

  “Who’s that?” Edna gestured toward the women.

  “Nana, no,” Ainslon warned.

  “Tell me.” Edna narrowed her eyes at the two women, then her face lit up.

  Ainslon knew honesty was her only way out of this. “The one in the jeans and white t-shirt is Lauren.”

  Edna arched her brow. A smile played on her lips. “Your Lauren?”

  “Well, not my Lauren, but the Lauren I’m finding the book for.”

  “Yes, dear.” Edna patted her arm. “Your Lauren.”

  Ainslon knew when not to argue. “Yes.”

  “Let’s go.”

  “Nana, no.”

  But it was too late. Edna whirled around faster than a woman her age should be able to. “Now you listen to me, young lady. I didn’t raise you to be a coward. We are going up to them and you are going to introduce me.”

  “I…I…fine.” She huffed, knowing arguing with Edna would be a losing battle. As their steps took them closer to their goal, her heart beat double time, and her legs felt weighed down by lead. Edna didn’t seem to have that problem and dragged her along. She thought about fleeing, but at that exact moment Lauren turned, looked at her, and smiled.

  “Ainslon.” Her smile lit up her face and didn’t fail to cause Ainslon’s heart to pound. She was sure the other women could hear it.

  When words weren’t forthcoming, Edna pinched her. “Lauren.” Another pinch. “This is my nana.”

  “Edna, dear.” Edna extended her hand toward Lauren.

  Lauren stepped forward and accepted her hand. “Edna, it’s so nice to meet you.”

  “Well, aren’t you sweet? Like you were dipped in honey and rolled in sugar.” Ainslon groaned and Lauren chuckled, but Ainslon could have sworn she saw a twinge of pink blossom on Lauren’s cheeks. “You’re much more attractive in person than in the pictures they print in the paper.”

  Ainslon could feel her face heat up, but Lauren only grinned and winked. “That’s what I’ve been saying for years.”

  Edna gave a nod toward the woman beside Lauren. “Introduce me to your friend.”

  Lauren slipped her arm around the woman’s waist and pulled her into her side. “This is my sister, Callie.”

  “Edna, it’s nice to meet you,” Callie said, then offered her hand to Ainslon. “Nice to see you again, Ainslon.”

  Ainslon shook Callie’s hand. “Same here.” Then stuffed her hands in the pockets of her jeans, trying not to fidget.

  “Isn’t this nice?” Edna clapped her hands together, then pulled Callie away from Lauren and slipped a hand through her arm. “Why don’t you show me around? I have this big tote bag to fill up.”

  Callie looked between Lauren and Ainslon, then shared a look with her sister, before nodding. “Let’s go. This is one of my favorite places to visit.”

  “Wait.” Ainslon reached for Edna’s arm. “What are you doing?”

  “Shopping. Isn’t that what you do at these types of things…or am I mistaken in my old age?”

  Ainslon looked upward and groaned. “Nana.”

  “I have the phone you bought me. I’ll be fine and if this nice woman does happen to kill me and stuff my body someplace, I am sure Kelly would still be able to make me look acceptable at my viewing.”

  Ainslon threw her hands up. “Oh, dear God, Nana.” Kelly was the funeral director hired to take care of Edna’s funeral plans.

  “Okay. Okay. We’re going,” Callie said, pulling a smirking Edna away.

  Ainslon stood rooted to the spot as Edna and Callie got farther and farther away. She let out a relieved breath and turned back around. “I’m sorry about that. When she gets something in her head…” She let the words hang in the air.

  “Exactly what are you sorry for? The fact that Edna claimed my sister, or the fact that you are standing here with me?”

  “I…I…guess neither. The fact is, Nana can be—” She waved her hand in the air and Lauren chuckled.

  “She seems wonderful. They’ll get along great.”

  “Probably, but she ambushed your morning.” The awkwardness she expected never materialized. Fuck. Lauren was so easy to be around.

  “Nonsense. Now, I’ll spend it shopping with you.”

  The flutter in Ainslon’s stomach, when she first spotted Lauren, turned into a free for all. “Lead the way.”

  They had only taken a few steps when Lauren spoke. “Do you come here often?” Ainslon’s steps faltered and she fought the urge to laugh, but that didn’t stop Lauren from chuckling.

  Ainslon decided to cut her some slack. “We come twice a month. Nana likes to look around and it gives her a good bit of exercise and we get to spend time together. A win-win for everyone.”

  “Yes, a win.”

  Score one for Ainslon.

  “Are you looking for something particular today?” Lauren asked. “I usually shop at the market near my condo, but Callie always drags me along with her.” She smiled. “It usually takes me a while to find something I need, but not this morning.” Lauren gave her a knowing look.

  “Is that so?” Lauren nodded. Okay, so Lauren was interested. Score two for Ainslon. “I was planning on picking up some potatoes and sweet potatoes,” Ainslon said. “Maybe a couple of acorn squash. Besides that, who knows. I’m not a make a list kind of girl.”

  After Ainslon had purchased her potatoes, Lauren directed her to an empty picnic table, and they sat down across from each other. “Is the vintage book scene competitive?”

  Ainslon laughed. “Yes. Especially with children’s books. Most don’t survive well and those that do are few and far between. Of course, books in the condition that you want sell well, but those aren’t the only books I sell. Not everyone can afford a first edition vintage book, in pristine condition. But buyers that can’t afford them are usually happy with what they can find within their budget.”

  “Do you get a lot of competition from eBay or other online auction sites?”

  “I don’t attract those buyers. The people that come to me want to know that I am actively looking for what they want. That I will take the time to make sure the book is in the condition that they want, and they want to inspect the book before they buy it. It’s true we started off online, but I would Skype with my customers and show them the book they wanted. They got to see firsthand what the book looked like. In this business, once you’ve earned someone’s trust, you’re golden, but if you ever lose that trust, your reputation could be destroyed. I have never bought a book off eBay for a customer, but if I’ve seen a book that might meet the criteria, and a business and not an individual is selling it, I’ll contact them outside of eBay and try and set something up.”

  Lauren looked astonished. “It’s cutthroat?”

  “Last year in Washington State, I can’t remember the name of the town, a local historian killed an elderly man for his first edition, first printed copy of Gone with the Wind.”

  Lauren faltered. “That’s…Are you serious?”

  “The book was in amazing shape. The dust jacket only had a minor tear on the bottom right edge. I don’t think anyone ever opened the book. I wouldn’t have killed for it, but I would have been tempted.”

  “Oh
my. That tempting?”

  “Us book people are pretty serious about our trade.”

  The look of interest on Lauren’s face charmed Ainslon. “What happened to the book?”

  Ainslon frowned. “The police confiscated it, and by the time it was handed back over to the rightful owners, it wasn’t in pristine condition anymore. Where it once would have sold for up to ten thousand dollars, they would have been lucky to get five for it.”

  “Really, that much of a difference?”

  “The dust jacket was torn in several places and the spine of the book was broken. That plays a huge part in the selling price. Thankfully with children’s books, a lot of them didn’t have dust jackets. How about your world, is it competitive?”

  “It can be. Especially if you’re trying to branch out. It’s taken me almost two years to convince a small Swiss chocolate company to sell to me. I’ve also made a few frenemies in town because my business has done so well.”

  “Now, that I understand. People that are nice to your face but behind your back hope for you to fail.”

  “Garriety is an amazing place to live, but the business world can be trying at times.”

  “That’s for sure.”

  The two stared at each other, neither saying a word, until Lauren’s cheeks flushed, and she dropped her gaze, then abruptly stood. “The vendor across the way is selling acorn squash.”

  Ainslon smiled and followed beside her. Seeing Lauren so flustered was a turn on. It was nice to know there was a little insecurity behind her flawless looks.

  When Lauren touched her arm to lead her toward the vendor, Ainslon could only nod, because of the tingles Lauren’s fingers sent throughout her body. Her touch only lingered for a moment, but she felt it all the way to her toes.

  “So.” Lauren rubbed her hands together. “I come here a lot and know for a fact,” she gestured off to the left, “right through there is the best face painter in all of Garriety.”

  Goodness. Ainslon did love a playful woman. “The best, huh?”

  “The best.”

  Ainslon slipped her arm through hers. “Then what are we waiting for?”

  Twenty minutes later, Ainslon lifted her phone and snapped a picture of a grinning Lauren. A purple and blue butterfly adorned her right cheek. Ainslon had opted for a black cat on hers.

  Lauren directed her toward the artist’s mirror. “I think we look awesome.”

  Ainslon smiled. “I think you’re right.” She stepped to the side when a couple and their kids walked up. “No text from Nana, so what’s next?”

  “How about a picture together to show off our ink?” Lauren held up her phone. Ainslon nodded, then held her breath when Lauren slipped her arm around her waist and brought their faces together. It took all her restraint not to turn her head and kiss Lauren on the cheek. After the picture was taken, Lauren squeezed her side, then pulled away. “How about you lead the way to our next destination?”

  Ainslon brushed her hands down her pants. “I’m good at leading.”

  “I kind of had a feeling you would be.”

  Ainslon was sure the smile on her face would become permanent as much as she used it. In no time, they both had a small bowl of ice cream in hand and were standing side by side, people watching. Ainslon thought they fit together perfectly. Ainslon slipped her spoon in her mouth and savored the rich vanilla taste. Where she had opted for vanilla with a caramel drizzle, Lauren had chosen something as exotic as herself, coffee ice cream with a dark chocolate drizzle and chopped hazelnuts. She would remember that.

  “So, where to next?” Lauren asked.

  Ainslon was about to answer when she spotted Edna and Callie headed in their direction, Edna’s ice cream cone firmly in hand. She got one every time they visited the market. She was a bit disappointed their time together would be ending but even from the distance between them she could tell Edna was tired. Although she’d enjoyed her time with Lauren, she would never jeopardize her nana’s health for it.

  Lauren huffed beside her. “Callie told me this morning she wouldn’t be caught dead eating an ice cream cone here.”

  Ainslon knocked their shoulders together. “My nana has an uncanny ability to get people to do things they wouldn’t normally do. She’s a manipulative old bird.” She gave Lauren a sly smile. “Besides, we got our ice cream.”

  Lauren nodded her agreement. “You bet we did.” She placed her hand at the small of Ainslon’s back. “Let’s not keep them waiting. I can tell Edna’s tired from here.”

  Ainslon’s heart warmed at her words, but the smile on Edna’s face meant trouble.

  “Nana, I see you’ve done some shopping.” The tote Callie carried looked about half full.

  “We had a great time. Learned a bit about each other.” The sparkle in her eyes put Ainslon on edge.

  “That’s nice,” she answered.

  “I thought you didn’t want ice cream?” Lauren accused her sister.

  “I changed my mind,” Callie said, then quickly changed the subject. “I see you’ve done a bit of getting around.” She stared at Lauren’s cheek.

  “We did,” Lauren said.

  “You only live once, dear, is what I say,” Edna said. “Why hold back on what you really want, when it’s right in front of you.”

  Ainslon bit her lip, but kept her mouth shut.

  “Now, I want a few of those zucchinis, then we need to go home,” Edna said. “Mildred is coming over for a late lunch today.” She walked off, leaving the three of them alone. Ainslon accepted the bag when Callie handed it over.

  “It was nice to see you again, Ainslon. Edna spoke highly of you.”

  “Thank you, but she’s biased.”

  Callie patted Lauren on the hand. “I’ll meet you at the car.”

  Lauren fondled her necklace and smiled shyly. “I had a nice time this morning.”

  “So did I.” Ainslon nervously gnawed her bottom lip for a second. Then thought, what the hell as she leaned forward and kissed Lauren’s cheek. She took a step back.

  “Well.” Lauren grinned. “I’ll see you around.”

  Ainslon returned the grin. “You will.”

  Lauren tilted her head, then did a slow appraisal of Ainslon from head to toe. “My book notwithstanding, I look forward to it.”

  Ainslon sputtered but Lauren only grinned and bid her a goodbye before walking off. Ainslon took a moment to get her bearings before joining Edna. “Ready?” she asked as she accepted the zucchini and slipped them into her bag.

  “Yes.” A few moments later Edna spoke up. “I like that Lauren put that smile on your face.” Ainslon breamed and knew she would sleep well that night, having her nana’s seal of approval. Besides Easton, Edna’s was the only opinion that mattered.

  Lauren did a quick spin when she was out of Ainslon’s line of sight and pumped her fist in the air. A teenager held up his hand and she high-fived him as she passed by. The boring day she’d expected with Callie turned out amazing. Ainslon was exactly what she was looking for. Beautiful, smart, sexy, and a dash of awkward.

  The grin wouldn’t even leave her face if she wanted it to. As she approached her, Callie lifted her phone and took a picture.

  “What was that for?” Lauren asked.

  Callie smiled softly. “I want you to always remember the moment you started falling for her.”

  Lauren came to a complete stop. “Don’t be silly.”

  “Let it happen naturally. There is no rush. It’s clear she likes you.” She gripped Lauren’s shoulder. “Being happy looks amazing on you.”

  “Really?”

  “You bet.” Callie kissed her unpainted cheek.

  “For once, I’m going to heed your advice. I won’t fight it but I’m not going to push it either.” The last thing she wanted was to make Ainslon nervous or scared.

  “I don’t think you’re going to have to push it. I have a feeling everything is going to fall into place.”

  “Be that as it may, I’m going to
let Ainslon set the pace. I have this feeling. I know she likes me, but…”

  “I agree.”

  Callie tossed her keys in the air and Lauren caught them. “You’re driving.” Callie stopped with her hand on the door. “What time do you have to pick Colin up for tonight?”

  Tonight was the official opening of the astronomy section of the Garriety Science Center and she’d promised to accompany him. It had been in the works for two years, and Lauren was just as excited as Colin to see it completed. It was set to open a year ago but was delayed because of funding. “Ollie’s bringing him by at five, then she, Ralph, and Heidi are going to the Eatery.” The Eatery, a family friendly buffet style restaurant, served everything from chicken wings to ceviche.

  “Have fun.”

  “I plan on it.”

  Ainslon glanced in the mirror later that night and smoothed out the sides of her black, knee length, sleeveless dress, and adjusted her red belt. Satisfied with what she saw, she slipped on her heels and made her way to the living room. A glance at the clock showed ten minutes until Justin was set to arrive. After patting Shady on the head, she locked up, rode the elevator down to the lobby, and stepped outside to wait. She nodded at the security guard, noting the dip of his head with satisfaction. It had taken her almost three years to get any sort of acknowledgement out of him.

  She didn’t know what surprised her more, the fact that Edna had ditched her earlier at the farmers market, or that Lauren had wanted to spend time with her. Just thinking about Lauren sent chills down her spine. How could she be so smitten after only a few times in Lauren’s presence? The feelings, though unexpected, made her feel alive and happy. A long time had passed since she felt this way, but she wasn’t going to push things.

  She stepped toward the sidewalk when Justin pulled up outside her building. She slid in and pulled her seat belt on. Justin had on a black pair of pants, white dress shirt, gray vest, and a red bowtie.

  Justin glanced from her to himself, then pulled the car back into traffic. “I see you stole my fashion choice.”