Free Diary of a Dieter by Marie Coulson

had ever seen, I gripped my martini and groaned. Ness, suitably dressed as the Little Mermaid and currently on her third blue lagoon, chatted animatedly to the ‘Wild West’ themed bartender. Dana had managed to wedge herself between the two of us and with a red bow in her hair, she scoured the drinks menu which she had been clasping for the past half an hour. So there we were, three girls from London dressed as princesses and each of us prince-less. Drowning my sorrows, I looked around at the packed restaurant area and wondered if we would ever get to eat this evening. I was just about to flag down the maître d when a small and over-excited child bowled into my stool and caused my entire drink to spill all over my pale blue ball gown.
    The damn thing already made me look like a sausage about to burst its skin; and now damp, it was not looking any better. The parents gave me a quick smile before hurrying to the restaurant, where they were immediately seated! Irritated and hungry, I stood and began wiping myself down with some of the napkins from the bar. Dana looked up from her menu and gave me a confused look.
    “Child. Drink. Wet dress. Not only do I feel pathetic, but now, I look it as well. This is a disaster! I was supposed to be on my hen weekend. It was supposed to be sparkly dresses, tiaras, and happily ever after! And now look at me. My dress is soaked. My tiara is with my discarded wedding dress in a cold and dark closet in London, and my happily ever after is never ever after since the man in my life up and left me for the frog princess! When is my handsome Prince Charming ever going to show up? Because I’m beginning to lose my patience.”
    Ness, who was now glaring at me since I had interrupted her flirtations with the bartender, was about to respond when the door behind us flew open, and Adam coughed loudly. Dana smiled and tried to hide a giggle as I turned around to find him standing behind me in a dapper white and gold prince’s outfit. His dark hair was parted at one side, and for some reason, he looked … taller and even broader than usual. Maybe it was those shoulder pads. Biting my bottom lip, I blushed.
    “Prince Charming at your service, Cinderella. Well, for tonight anyway. Besides, looks as though you only have ‘til midnight.”
    He laughed sweetly, and I couldn’t help but soften. Adam had a way of making everything seem better somehow. He was my security blanket and comforter, and I really needed it right now.
    “Where’s your drink?” He pointed to my empty glass.
    I was about to answer, but Dana interrupted me. “A kid knocked it all over her.”
    I rolled my eyes. “I’d love a martini.” I knew that’s what he was really asking, and we knew each other well enough to leave out the middle conversation.
    “Ness, considering the bartender is more interested in your lack of clothes than me waving my cash around, ask him for a martini and a beer, will you?”
    Ness glanced down at her bright purple shell bra and grinned. “Jealous, Adam? And stop ogling my goodies.”
    Groaning, he handed her the cash and gave me a quick smile. “So, when do we get to eat?”
    I sniggered. “In this place? Let’s just say I think we may have stepped in to Never-Neverland.”
    He laughed and gave me a wink before heading in to the restaurant. Dana, again, gave me a confused look, but I simply shrugged. Returning minutes later with the maître d in tow, Adam held out his hand for me. “If anyone asks, you are a soap legend from Hollywood, and we just wrapped up a great episode. So, you know, don’t open your mouth if anyone comes over.”
    I feigned offense.
    “I love you, Charlie, but if you utter a word, that broad London cockney girl accent of yours will blow our cover. Awl right luv?”
    I almost choked on my drink as I laughed at him. Adam was my hero. Prince Charming was a fantasy and I needed a real life, breathing dream man. But for now, Adam would do just fine.
     
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    After