Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
17
“Sorry about this,” Pandora whispered to Victor as she rushed ahead of Elias, her best friend, and their endless bickering. “My mum invited Elias along, then Lucy volunteered to come so it wouldn’t be so awkward.”
Victor glanced over Pandora’s shoulder before suddenly sliding his arms around her, pulling her flush against him.
His hand rose, his fingers warm against her chilled cheek, before his lips softly landed on hers.
Logically, she knew it was just for show, that he wanted them to greet each other the way any happy, engaged couple might.
Either way, it wasn’t personal.
But the second his lips pressed against hers, she forgot all about that. It certainly felt real, the way all the stress from the last few days fell immediately away, the way his arm slid around her lower back, pulling her more tightly against his body, the way his fingers slid from her cheek to cradling her jaw just under her ear.
It definitely felt real when he didn’t immediately break away, instead deepening the kiss until she felt her insides turn to mush as her arms went up to twine around his neck, holding him close as his lips pressed deeper and deeper.
Just when she felt like she was floating, his lips pulled away and his forehead rested against hers for a moment.
“I hope they were watching,” he said, voice raspy, making Pandora’s heart plummet.
It was an arrangement, for goodness’ sake, nothing more. She needed to stop projecting her feelings for Victor onto the situation at hand.
Speaking of hands, he slipped his in hers before turning to look at the others.
“Lucy. Elias,” he said, his tone a bit sharper as he greeted the other man.
“Hope you didn’t mind some company,” Elias said.
“Doesn’t seem like it would have mattered even if I did,” Victor said.
“Ophelia doesn’t seem to get the concept of third wheels,” Lucy said, shrugging apologetically.
“There are four of us,” Elias said.
“Because someone needed to tag along to keep an eye on you.” Lucy rolled her eyes at him as the four of them walked toward the restaurant.
It was a cozy little exposed-brick-wall establishment with warm, golden lighting and a menu offering a mix of British and American fare.
When Victor ordered a burger and chips, Pandora, not really caring what she ate, chose the same. While Elias analyzed the menu as if it was of the utmost importance that he pick the right meal. Despite not caring for food any more than Pandora did.
“For God’s sake. Just get him the same as me,” Lucy said, snatching the menu out of his hand and handing it to the server before Elias could object.
“What if I don’t like steak?” Elias asked.
Lucy shot back, “Everyone likes steak.”
There was a moment of awkward silence before Lucy – bless her – started talking about the dresses at the shop.
“Why didn’t you go to a different place if the shopkeeper was rude?” Victor asked, his arm casually draped across the back of Pandora’s chair. She was just barely managing not to lean back, to feel his arm against her.
“Oh, um …” Pandora’s mind went blank.
Lucy looked similarly blank.
It was Elias who managed to save the moment.
“Old family friend,” he said. “They’ve been going to that shop for lifetimes.”
If Victor thought that was a weird way to phrase it, he said nothing. Though Pandora could tell something was bothering him, given the way his jaw had gone tight, a little muscle ticking there occasionally as Elias started talking about the dresses as well. Then segued into the invitations, the possible menu.
“Let’s go powder our noses,” Lucy said, popping up out of her chair in the middle of Elias speaking, not caring how rude she was being.
She grabbed Pandora’s arm and dragged her along until they were in the bathroom. Lucy looked around, making sure they were alone, before letting out a loud growl.
“I can’t even think straight thanks to Lieutenant Lip Flap and his war on silence.”
Despite herself, Pandora couldn’t help but laugh, finding it loosened some of the tension she was holding on to.
“I think he’s doing it to goad Victor,” Pandora said. “To show how involved he is, while Victor … hasn’t been around.”
“You need to get some alone time with Victor again. Give him some reassurances,” Lucy said, digging in her handbag for her eyeliner. She leaned over the sink to get closer to the mirror as she lined her gorgeous golden eyes. Pandora decided not to ask her why she was putting in the effort.
“It’s a fake relationship,” Pandora said.
“Sure. Yeah. That kiss looked real fake.”
“He said afterward that he hoped you guys were watching.”
Lucy’s gaze slid across the mirror to Pandora’s reflection – since modern mirrors no longer had silver backings, vampires did reflect – watching her for a second, then letting out a sigh.
“What?” Pandora asked.
“I think you’re both dense,” she said, clipping the cap back on her eyeliner and tossing it into her bag with a flourish.