How to Date a Dragon by Ashlyn Chase Page B

see? I solved all your problems. A part-time job gives you money to live on, time to work on your other project, a wicked cheap rent in an awesome place, and me as your manager. It’s a win-win-win-win.”
    Bliss smirked. She wanted to tease her friend about having her as a boss… badly, but Claudia had done her a solid. She deserved better than a smart-ass remark.
    “Thank you. I—um. I’ve never worked in a bar before. Does that bother you?”
    “Hell, no. It’s easy. You’ll pick it up in no time.”
    “Aren’t you worried about my so-called people skills?”
    Claudia chuckled. “Not as soon as you realize that good service equals good tips. Now, do you want the job or not?”
    “I want it! When can I move in?”
    “Anytime. You’ll have a roommate. She’s the bartender, but it’s a two-bedroom apartment and quite roomy for the area. You won’t get in each other’s way at all.”
    “Eww… a roommate. I don’t know, Claudie. It’s not that I don’t play well with others, it’s that so many others are jackholes.”
    Claudia dropped her face into her hands, and Bliss thought she muttered, “Oh, crap. What have I done?” She lifted her face and glared. “Angie’s no jackhole, and we need her. If you can’t behave yourself, the deal’s off.”
    “Don’t worry. I’ll be good. Anything is better than living in my childhood bedroom while my mother demands I fill it with babies.”

Chapter 4
    Bliss charged down the stairs and stopped briefly to say, “Get away from the window, Ma, or I won’t open the door.”
    Her mother backed toward the kitchen, slowly.
    Bliss could argue all day, but she’d have to give her parents a look at Drake or they’d think she was hiding some weird anomaly like crooked teeth or a big nose that could be passed on to their possible future grandchildren.
    He knocked. Hoping for the best, Bliss opened the front door.
    “Hi there, beautiful. It’s a great day to move.”
    It was true. The sun shone in the clear blue sky, and the humidity was low. As an added bonus, Bliss hadn’t committed matricide yet.
    “Come in, Drake.”
    Mrs. Russo strolled over, and before she could berate her for not introducing them, Bliss said, “Drake, this is my mother, Malinda Russo.”
    “What a beautiful name. It suits you,” he said.
    Her mother tittered—actually tittered—and extended her hand. He shook it and held on for an extra moment. “I can see where Bliss gets her beauty.”
    Good going, Drake. Now she’ll be adamant I make you her son-in-law. “There’s not much stuff to load into your truck. Just a few castoffs and a suitcase. We can be on our way in about fifteen minutes.”
    “What’s the rush, Blissful? He just got here. He’s probably thirsty after the long drive.”
    Crap. Now he knows what my stupid nickname is. “It’s not that long a drive, Ma, and I’m anxious to get going so I can settle in.”
    “Oh, all right.” Her mother did the disappointed sigh better than a Jewish mother. “If you must, I guess you must.”
    Bliss rolled her eyes so Drake could see her but her mom couldn’t.
    “Maybe another time,” he said.
    “Oh, yes. I’d love to have you over for Sunday dinner… as a thank-you for helping Blissy move. I make lasagna better than you’ll get in the city—including the North End.”
    “That sounds wonderful,” Drake said, and gave Malinda Russo his killer grin.
    Bliss thought her mother would faint.
    “I’ll show you the basement. That’s where the old furniture is.”
    “It’s not that old, Blissful.”
    Bliss slapped her own forehead. “Will you please stop calling me by the nicknames I hate?”
    Her mother looked hurt, then angry, and stomped out of the room, muttering, “Everyone thought they were cute when you were little.”
    Damn. Now I’m the bad guy.
    “Let’s get to that furniture,” Drake said. “It won’t move itself.”
    Drake to the rescue… again. “Yes, let’s.”
    She led him to the cellar door and