Free How to Date a Dragon by Ashlyn Chase

shows did that, and she’d always seen happy families who were supportive of their son’s or daughter’s ambitions. The last thing she needed was her mother calling the competition foolish.

Chapter 5
    Claudia had taken Bliss into the office and given her a uniform. Black skirt, black apron, and white blouse. Bliss changed behind a folding screen. The uniform fit well enough, although she would have liked it tapered a bit to show a more feminine hourglass figure. Maybe she could find a tailor. Then she remembered she needed her money to rebuild her real job. If she didn’t win the competition and the fifty-thousand dollars that came with it, she’d be screwed.
    When she strolled around the partition, she asked, “Aren’t uniforms sort of old school?”
    Claudia smiled indulgently. “Wait until you meet Anthony. Talk about old school…”
    “The owner? Why? Is he like a million years old?”
    Claudia laughed and tied Bliss’s apron tighter. “Not at all. He’s young and ridiculously good looking, but he has this old-world charm. Very formal manners, a slight European accent, but he won’t tell you exactly where he comes from, so don’t bother asking.”
    “Okay…” Bliss glanced in the mirror and realized that when Claudia cinched the apron tighter, she gave her a nice nipped-in waist. Problem solved.
    “Look, I’m just mentioning it because he can be a bit intimidating to new staff members. Don’t worry about it, though. He’s a sweetheart when you get to know him.” She sighed.
    “Do I detect a crush on the boss?”
    Claudia’s expression suddenly turned serious, and she shoved an order pad toward Bliss. “Maybe. But don’t say anything or even hint at that. He doesn’t date his employees, and he has a psycho girlfriend who you don’t want to piss off.”
    Bliss took the order pad and continued to study her friend’s face. “I’ve never seen you like this, Claudia. Is there something else going on?”
    “No, just… just keep whatever I tell you confidential, okay? I’m giving you more information than I’d give an employee I didn’t know. Anthony’s a good guy, but Ruxandra—his girlfriend—is a piece of work. Steer clear of her. And stay as far away from Anthony as you can when she’s around. If she gets the wrong idea…” Claudia shivered.
    “Seriously? She’s so jealous that you’re afraid of her?”
    “Not… not really. Anthony keeps her in check.”
    “Sounds like a wonderful relationship,” Bliss said, rolling her eyes.
    “Regardless, it’s none of our business. I just wanted you to be aware of the dynamics.”
    Bliss scanned the order pad, which didn’t look too complicated. “Okay. Fine. Consider me fully aware. So, I guess I’d better get out there and start my first shift.”
    “Yeah. I’ll introduce you to the other employees, and the regulars will probably introduce themselves. How are you at handling sexual harassment?”
    Bliss laughed. “You’re kidding, right? You’ve seen my cards, haven’t you?”
    “Whoa. I’d rather you not insult the customers if you can help it.”
    “Don’t worry. I can deflect, distract, or disconcert. I won’t insult anyone, at least not directly.” She gave her friend a teasing grin. “Kidding. What do you think is the best approach?”
    “Go with your gut, unless that involves punching someone out. If a customer gets fresh and won’t stop, find me or Anthony. We’ll take care of it.”
    Bliss waved away the very idea that she couldn’t handle any situation herself. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
    “Okay then. Let’s go.”
    Claudia grasped her shoulders and turned her toward the door. Bliss marched forward stiffly, wondering why she was suddenly nervous. Waitressing was no big deal, right? She was probably just experiencing a little fear of the unknown. Don’t be ridiculous, Bliss. This isn’t rocket science.
    Claudia opened the door and let Bliss pass through it first.
    A guy sitting at the