Page 71 of By the Book

Ivy

Iwatch the indigo haired customer turn in a circle and take in the space, a soft smile gracing her expression. It never gets old, seeing it from someone else’s perspective. And now I can do so once again. An immense feeling of appreciation for The Open Book washes over me.

“Your space is beautiful, so cozy,” she tells me, holding her newly purchased book to her chest. “I’ll definitely be back.”

“I am so happy to hear that. Enjoy your read,” I reply, waving goodbye. Picking up the new arrivals I perched on the side of the counter, I head to the front table. It’s minutes before close, and I’d like to get everything wrapped up before Tripp gets here. Halfway across the store, my phone rings in my pocket. Balancing the paperbacks haphazardly in my arms, I nearly fumble them all as I answer.

“Hello?” I say, easing them down onto the table beside me.

“Sherlock, hi.”

“Tripp,” I smile at his voice.

“I’m sorry, I won’t make it tonight like we planned. Something came up, but I’m going to send Millie,” Tripp begins.

“Send Millie? What’s going on?”

“I can’t explain right now, I’ll call you as soon as I can. Okay?”

My shoulders slump. “Sure,” I sigh. “But send Millie? Is that necessary?”

“For my own peace of mind, because I can’t be there.” There is an edge to his voice that has my heart sinking. Something isn’t right, he’s being vague and formal. “Only go with Millie, okay?”

“Okay.” My voice comes out as a whisper as I pluck aimlessly at the bouquet on the front table.

I hang up and survey the mess I’ve made of the flowers. With a frown, I work to rearrange the stems when my phone goes off again, this time a text message. It’s from Poppy to our group chat.

Poppy

SOS

Ivy

Girls’ night?

Wren

Your house, Poppy?

Stevie

Wine?

Poppy

My house. I’ve already started in on the wine, there’s plenty here.

Looks like I have plans tonight once again. I send Millie a text that she doesn’t need to come by to keep me company, I’ll be at Poppy’s. Then I set my phone back down and wrap up my tasks to close.

A spiced apple blondie is dropped onto a vintage looking floral dessert plate and placed beside my glass of wine. Even in her distress, she has the perfect baked good waiting.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

It’s just the two of us, Wren and Stevie arriving shortly. Poppy slumps down into one of the wooden shaker chairs and rests her chin in her hand. “Mayor Fitzgerald made his decision today.”

She doesn’t call him Fitzy. If her mood wasn’t clear enough, that would tell me everything I need to know. I reach out and take Poppy’s hand.

“He said he’s going to offer the property to Hayden. It just doesn’t make sense why he would want it! It’s not like it can meet his needs as it is. The changes he’ll have to make…I swear. That man only put a bid in after he saw how excited I was about it!”

---