How to Date a Dragon

can predict a thirsty customer or two will need my help soon.”

Chapter 6

“Mother Nature, why didn’t you stop the dragons when you realized they were meeting?” Apollo asked.

“For the same reason we try not interfere in all human matters. It’s important to give them a chance to figure things out for themselves. If Drake didn’t realize Zina was bad news, I may have had to drum a few subtle hints into his thick skull. Fortunately he was smart enough to walk away on his own. Now, he’s interested in someone else.”

“But the female dragon knows he’s here.”

“Yes. And your point is?”

Apollo threw his hands in the air. “Aren’t you afraid she’ll hunt him down and convince him to have sex with her?”

Gaia chuckled. “Oh, she might try, but again we need to give the other dragon an opportunity to handle it.”

“You must have a lot of faith in his ability to make good decisions.”

“Not really. If it comes down to it, I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow their love nest right out of its tree, or something like that.”

“But why sit around and allow them to possibly make mistakes?”

“Because that’s how they learn. Why does Zeus let you make mistakes?”

“What mistakes? Gods don’t make mistakes.”

Gaia laughed. “Oh, you’re precious.”

* * *

Bliss looked up from the table she was wiping. Drake stood in front of her with a bouquet of flowers in his hand and a smile on his face.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Well, hello yourself. What brings you here with flowers?” Are they for me?

“It’s a housewarming present. What time do you get off work?”

Yay, they are for me! She glanced at the clock. It was almost ten. “Not for another hour. Can you hang around that long?”

“Sure. I’ll sit at the bar so I won’t distract you from your work.”

She set a hand on her hip. “Pretty sure of your shiny self, aren’t you?”

His brows knit. “Uh, no. Did I sound like that?”

She felt like an idiot. Apparently he didn’t get her poke at his male pride. “I was just teasing you. Sit anywhere you like. Maybe I should put the flowers in some water.”

“Sure.”

He handed them to her and she took a hearty whiff. They were really lovely and smelled like spring.

“Now to find a vase…”

Angie pulled a glass vase from somewhere beneath the bar and held it up for her to see. “Will this work?”

“Perfect.”

Her new roomie half-filled the vase with tap water and set it on the bar. Bliss arranged the flowers in the vase and took another big whiff.

“Mmm… they smell heavenly.”

Drake strolled up beside her and sniffed her hair. “You smell better.”

She chuckled. “You like my herbal shampoo more than flowers?”

“What can I say? I’m a guy.”

“That’s for sure.”

“Uh… miss!”

“Oops. I heard my name.” Bliss located the female customer sitting near the door, holding up one finger. “Excuse me, Drake.”

“Sure. Duty calls.” He glanced at the customer and went stiff. His eyes rounded and he muttered, “Shit,” under his breath.

What’s that about? Sure, the woman looked a bit strange… kind of lethal, but so what? She was just sitting there. Hadn’t he ever seen anyone wearing leather and dreadlocks before? And who was he to judge someone based on weird hair?

Bliss ignored his reaction and hurried over to the waiting customer with her order pad in hand. When she got closer, the woman sported a nasty smile.

“What can I get you?” Bliss asked politely.

The woman narrowed her eyes. “You can get out of my way.”

“Excuse me?”

“You see that guy over there?”

Bliss glanced over at Drake. He quickly looked away.

“Yeah. What about him?”

“We went on a date recently and had a real good time, so I can’t help wondering why my boyfriend is buying you flowers. Are you his sister or something?”

“Uh… no. We’re not related.” And never will be, if he’s trying to hide another relationship from me.

“I see. So my question stands. Why did he bring you flowers?”

Bliss wasn’t going to let this pushy broad get the best of her. She simply shrugged and said, “Ask him.”

The woman rose. “I will.”

Part of Bliss wanted to follow her and listen to what he had to say. The other part wanted to run for the hills. She opted for a compromise and asked the customers at her other tables if they needed anything.

Over her shoulder she noticed Drake leaving with the horrible woman. The cynical part of her that had been slowly fading away suddenly came back with a vengeance. It figures. The minute I think I’ve found someone special, he disappoints me.

Sadie waved her over. Bliss had almost forgotten about the tarot reading.

Crap. She strolled over to Sadie’s booth. “Did you want another White Russian?” Or did you want to say, “I told you so”?

“Yes, dear. That would be nice, but I also wanted to give you a little more information.”

Bliss was almost afraid to ask. “Another prediction?”

“No. Just a little psychic insight. When I told you to be careful of Drake, I think it had something to do with that woman. And it’s not about protecting your heart. I think you need to protect yourself physically.”

“Shi—I mean, shoot,” Bliss stammered. “Wow. Do you really think she’d hurt me?”

“I was getting some very dark vibes from her. I’d say she’s capable of it. Do you know martial arts?”

Bliss laughed, then she sobered quickly. “Do you think I need to take some classes?”

Sadie nodded. “It wouldn’t hurt.”

“It might. I don’t have time for that right now.”

“Why? What’s so important that it comes before protecting yourself?”

“Only my whole future. Put it this way, if I survive because I learned self-defense, swell, but my quality of life won’t be that great. If I don’t survive but win the brass ring…” Bliss heard her own bizarre rationale and couldn’t finish her thought. “I’m sorry, Sadie. Thank you for your concern. I guess I’ll have to weigh the pros and cons.”

Sadie smiled. “I understand. Exercising your free will is important.”

Bliss had to put this new information on the back burner if she was going to do her job with any kind of competence. “Well, let me go get you your drink.”

“Thank you, dear. Don’t worry about that contest so much. I have a good feeling about your part in it.”