Chapter 8

It was a sunny day at the headquarters of the Wacky Races, and Penelope Pitstop was heading inside from her car when a flash of green light revealed the Black Dragon speeding right towards her. It stopped mere inches away.

"Hey you!" Alex called out, poking his head out the window. "Guess who's back!"

"Alex? Pandora? Am I glad to see you! Guys, you were gone for two days!"

"Time flies when you're having fun," said Pandora, pecking Alex on the cheek.

Alex chuckled softly. "Let's go in, sweetie," he said softly.

When the three arrived at P.T. Barnstorm's office, where the others were waiting, Barnstorm smiled. "Guys, there's someone I want you to meet. It's his job to make sure our race tracks are as danger… ah… perfectly safe, as possible. This is Victor Thorne."

Alex laughed. "You son of a bitch, why didn't you tell me you were working with us?! Aw man! Guys, he used to be my crew chief back in my NASCAR days! Vic, here are Bella, Tiny, IQ, Dick, Peter, my lovely girlfriend Pandora, and this is Penelope."

"Hi," Penny said softly.

Victor smiled. "Afternoon," he said in his British accent.

Penny smiled; she had to admit she liked what she saw. He had black hair and green eyes, and decently tanned skin.

"Penny!" Pandora said, snapping her fingers.

Penelope shook her head vigorously. "Huh? Yeah, what… what Peter said."

"Before or after he mentioned fried spinach?" Victor asked.

"Gadzooks, Pitstop!" Dastardly groaned. "Don't tell me you're twitterpated!"

"Hey," said Victor softly. "It's okay… just relax, you're fine."

After the meeting, the Pitstops headed to their room.

"What got into you back there?" Pandora asked.

"I don't know what to think!" said Penelope. "Peter only just recently broke up with me, but that Victor is… kinda cute, honestly."

"Just so what your heart says," Pandora suggested.

"I think it's confused…" said Penny thoughtfully. "I could get to know him but… I'm not sure what I want. Ugh… I need a drink."

Penny headed to the hotel bar and sighed.

"Oh… you're here too?" Victor said.

"Yeah," said Penny. "I don't know what happened. I was miles away."

"Was… is something wrong?"

Penny sighed. "I went through a breakup recently. I want to love again but at the same time… my heart's broken."

Victor smiled as he looked into her eyes. "Penelope," he said softly as their hands brushed against each other, "it's alright."

Penny, feeling a slight burst of confidence, rested her hand on his and said softly, almost sadly, "Just… be patient with me, okay?"