Real Vampires Don't Wear Size Six by Gerry Bartlett Read Free Book Online Page B

was doing well and Monday was a night with a DJ. Teens could get in but not drink alcohol, of course. I decided to stop and see if Jerry had been right. If Rafe and I did have more going than friendship. And I could introduce Penny to him. It wouldn’t hurt to have help keeping an eye on her. We’d be around lots of mortals in the club and Penny could show me if she had a handle on her self-control. I found a parking place along the busy street, even though it was after one in the morning.
    “You ever been in the new club N-V, Penny?” I smiled at her as I turned off the engine.
    “No. You mean we’re going in there? I don’t exactly look right for the place.” Penny frowned down at her clothes. “When I woke up a vampire, I decided maybe I should go Goth but haven’t had time to shop. Damian had someone go to my apartment and grab this stuff. I may be fashion challenged, but I’ve been around Jenny enough to realize I’m not exactly rocking this look.”
    I grinned, loving this opportunity. “Well, then. Lucky for you, my shop is just down the street. And real vampires try to avoid looking like a stereotype. We let the fakes have the Goth look. If we hurry, we can get you fixed up and still get in before the club closes. I want you to meet one of my best friends. He’s the owner of N-V.”
    “Your shop. Vintage Vamp’s?” Penny climbed out of the car and looked around. “Let’s go. I love old clothes.”
    Like I couldn’t have figured that out. But Penny would soon learn that my taste was less Salvation Army and more upscale retro. I unlocked my front door, punched in my alarm code and turned on the lights. Penny hurried to the black clothes; I hurried to the warm autumn colors. If I had to whammy her to prevail, I would. This girl was not going to be the poster child for bad vampire stereotypes.
    “Go wash your face and brush your hair first while I pick out something for you to try on.” I pushed her to the back room. “Bathroom’s in there. I’m taking you to my hairdresser as soon as I can get you an appointment. Who’s been cutting your hair?”
    “I cut my own.” Penny frowned. “You want me to wash off my makeup?”
    “You have beautiful skin. You don’t need base or powder. And black lipstick is horrible on fangs. I have some mascara and a nice coral lipstick in my purse. That’s all you need.” I grabbed a green silk blouse and black pants in a size I figured would fit her and took them into the back. Shoes. The combat boots she had on were not made for dancing unless on someone’s grave.
    “Green? I like green. And I thought you wanted me out of black.” Penny snatched the clothes and pulled off her old ones to reveal the saddest bra and panties I’d ever seen. We definitely needed a trip to Wally World for some better ones. But not tonight.
    “Black pants are a staple. Those should fit. Try them.” I darted back into the shop and grabbed some black flats. “The boots have to go. See if these work. Unless you can wear heels.”
    “No, I fall down. Flats are fine. How are you getting the sizes right?” Penny’s skin and hair had come alive as soon as she put on the green. And the black pants fit as if tailored just for her.
    “I’m in retail and have waited on a lot of women. I can guess pretty accurately.” I grinned. “And you forgot to block your thoughts. You should hear them, very chaotic. Don’t be so uptight about shopping. A size is just a number. So what if you buy a sixteen one day and a fourteen another? Some brands run large, others run small.”
    “Yeah, and I’m this size now, forever.” Penny sighed. “Guess I’ll just have to deal.”
    “Yes, you will. Ready?” I put my arm through hers. “You can’t see yourself, but you look fabulous. Josh would so not take you to that awful party looking like this.”
    “Thanks, Glory.” Penny hugged me. “Let’s go. I’ve been dying to get into N-V but didn’t think I’d get past the