Page 61 of My Big Fat Vampire Wedding
“I tried to text.”
“I was trapped inside a lace dress that didn’t want to let me go,” she said.
“What’s wrong with your body?” Victor asked, sounding impatient for an answer, like the question had been bothering him.
“Oh, it’s not … ‘Vintage’ is the chosen word.”
“What time does yours not fit in with?”
“From the looks of this place, the fifties.”
“So, you look like you’re not starving yourself on grapefruit and yogurt while addicted to legal speed? Think I’d call that a win.”
“Try telling that to the shopkeeper,” Pandora said grumpily.
“Donottell me we need to cut you out of a dress,” Sylvia called through the door, craggy voice setting Pandora’s nerves on edge.
“Wow,” Victor said, overhearing. “You know what I think you need after this?”
“What?”
“A revenge meal. Something fatty and calorie-dense,” he said. Then, “I know a place. Text me when you’re done.”
On the one hand, she really didn’t care about food.
On the other, she really wanted to see Victor again.
“You’re on,” she said, smiling for the first time in hours.
She emerged a few moments later to wide eyes all around. Clearly, the mermaid-style dress wasnotthe one.
“Who were you speaking to, my dear?” Ravenna asked as she walked a circle around Pandora, giving the dress the fair shake that none of the others had.
“Victor,” Pandora said, feeling her lips curve up once again. “We are going to meet up after this,” she added.
“To do what?” Ophelia asked, tone sharp.
“Spend time together,” Pandora said.
“Where are you two going?” Lucy asked, trying to slice through the tension building in the room.
“We’re going out to a restaurant,” she said, ignoring Sylvia mumbling to herself about “not needing any food”.
“Ahumanrestaurant?” Ophelia asked.
“Yes, of course, Mum. What other kind of restaurant would we go to?”
“I’m sure Elias would love to explore your … human interests,” Ophelia said.
Across from Pandora, Lucy’s eyes widened, her lips parted, clearly shocked to find that her friend’s stories about her mother weren’t exaggerated in the least.
“I haven’t had much of an opportunity to explore all London has to offer,” Elias said, dashing Pandora’s hopes that he would read the room and say he had other plans.
“So, go on a guided tour,” Lucy said, shooting daggers at Elias. “Don’t be a third wheel on someone’s date with herfiancé.”
“It would be rude not to show a guest around,” Ophelia said.
“Then we’ll make it a double date!” Lucy said, forcing some cheer into her voice as she shot the fakest smile in Elias’s direction.
