How to Date a Dragon

Hmmm… that might be a great way to remind the chief that I’m doing my job and doing it well… not trying to kill myself and take as many guys with me as I can.

“Sure. I should be there in about an hour.”

“Thanks. I love you for that.”

“Only that?”

Bliss whispered, “I’d tell you all the other great stuff I love about you, but I’m not alone.”

Drake heard her mother’s voice. “I knew it! They’re in love.”

“Mom! Get off the damn phone.”

One hearty giggle later, Drake heard a click.

Bliss let out an audible sigh. “Jesus, Drake, I’m sorry about that. If you want to skip it, I’ll understand. I’m afraid she might try to measure you for a tux.”

He chuckled. “Let her. You never know… See you in an hour.”

Drake hung up and marched into the EAP’s office.

“I’m not suicidal. I don’t need to talk to anyone, and I’ve got a girlfriend who needs me at the moment. I’m out of here.”

* * *

Bliss hung up the phone with myriad emotions swirling through her. What should she do first? Give her mother hell for picking up the other phone and listening in? Chastise herself for letting it happen? Or contemplate what Drake meant when he said, “You never know…”?

Bliss chose to contemplate, and a tiny smile spread across her face as she did. If she were twelve, she’d be writing Mrs. Drake Cameron in a notebook. Fortunately she was an adult now and knew it was too soon. She simply gave herself a mental high five and opened her mind to the future possibility.

“I’m sorry I overheard your conversation, Bliss,” her mother said sheepishly as she entered the upstairs master bedroom.

“No you’re not.”

Her mom grinned. “You’re right. I’m not.” She strode over to her daughter and enveloped her in a warm hug. “I’m happy for you.”

If anyone would be happy for me, it’s my mother.

Bliss hugged her back. “Thanks, Mom, but please don’t get carried away.”

“I’d be offended by that, but you’re right. I’m afraid I’ve jumped the gun in the past, and maybe that’s what put you off marriage.”

Gee, ya think? “Mom, I know you just want me to be happy, but I’m afraid your enthusiasm could scare away any potential future I might have with a guy.”

“Not if it’s the right guy.” Her mother’s smile returned.

Bliss had to think about that. How easy would it have been for Drake to walk away when Zina started causing trouble? She didn’t think he was protecting her out of a sense of duty. Well, not only for that reason. He was a good man with an ethical code, and he wouldn’t say he loved her if he didn’t mean it.

Bliss was just about to forgive her mother for years of pushiness when Mrs. Russo said, “Now, aren’t you glad that old building burned down?”

What? Is she kidding? Oh, for the love of… “Sheesh. I wouldn’t go that far, Mom. A lot of people lost everything they owned. Myself included.”

Her mother looped an arm around Bliss’s waist. “Oh, but look what you gained.”

Bliss let out a long sigh. Her mom was her mom, and trying to change her would be an exercise in frustration.

* * *

The director, Bliss, and Malinda sat at the kitchen table, waiting for the host to show up. “So, tell us what Bliss was like as a child.”

Bliss cringed but knew Malinda Russo could talk about her children all afternoon. Hopefully, this dry run would help guide her mother so she’d know what to say before they filmed it. Of course, if the director thought something was particularly cute or funny, he might ask her to repeat it for the camera. Bliss crossed her fingers under the table.

Malinda smiled sweetly and sighed. “My youngest was the perfect child. So kind and selfless. Always helping around the house…”

To say Bliss was stunned was an understatement. Who is her mother talking about? I am her youngest… at least I thought I was. So why isn’t she telling the world what a hellion I was and how I gave her three-quarters of her gray hairs… like she usually does.

The doorbell rang at that moment, and Bliss practically jumped out of her chair. “That must be Drake. I’ll get it.”

Malinda followed her. “Or it could be your brothers…”

Bliss stopped in her tracks and whirled on her mother. “Are you kidding me? I thought the deal was if I called Drake, you wouldn’t call Emilio and Ricky, and since when do they knock?”

Malinda pointed to the director. “Well, this nice man here said I should. I’m sorry. I’ve forgotten your name.”

He rose and buttoned his suit jacket. “Boguchwal Mickolajczyk.”

“Hmmm… I may forget again. Do you have a nickname?”

He smiled indulgently. “Yes. You can call me Bo.”

Malinda followed Bliss to the door, mumbling something about long, difficult Polish names. Bliss almost said something about long Italian names, but Malinda wouldn’t equate the two—ever. Bliss made sure she reached the door first and opened it, only to have her brothers push past her.

Ricky ruffled her hair. “Hey, squirt.”

“Christ, Ricky! Do you know how long it took me to do my hair and makeup today?”

Emilio snorted. “Oh, that’s right. You’re a big movie star now, huh?”

“Oh, for frig’s sake, it’s TV and you know it. Ma, did you have to invite them?”

Malinda threw her hands in the air. “As I said before, your producer told me to. I’m just trying to cooperate… like you asked.”

Bliss almost swallowed her tongue when she realized the cameras were rolling. That must be why the guys rang the bell. To warn the cameraman to start rolling.

The boys made a beeline for the kitchen.

Ricky said, “I smell Ma’s chicken parmigiano-reggiano.”

“Don’t you touch that,” Malinda called out as she followed her sons. “I want it to look perfect on television.”

Bliss rolled her eyes. Like her dinner is going to be the center of attention. Though she had to admit, it usually was.

She looked directly at the cameraman. “Can you possibly roll that back and erase it?”

He smiled and kept filming. “You know I can’t. If Bo wants to edit it out, he will.”

She blew the bangs out of her eyes, then strolled to the mirror to check how badly Ricky had ruined her hair.

The door opened and a cameraman poked his head in. “Judith is here, Bliss. It’s showtime.” He closed the door again and the second cameraman focused on the front door, ready to capture the big moment.

Butterflies used to invade her stomach in the beginning of filming the show, but Bliss thought she had gotten used to it. Apparently that wasn’t true, because moths were flapping around in there now.

The doorbell rang and Bliss quickly finger-combed her hair into place. She tried to look natural as she strode to the door and opened it.

“Hi, Judith,” she tried to say enthusiastically upon seeing the tall blond who had cruelly trashed someone’s work in every episode.

To her shock, Judith kissed her on both cheeks.

“Bliss! How marvelous to see you again. I can’t wait to hear all about your hard work over the last six