Free True Bliss by BJ Harvey Page A

I just cut him off. Oh shit! He must think I'm a total lush, or a flake, or a cock tease. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't want to talk to me again.
    I'm just about to pull out my phone to type out a quick apology to him when Daniel gets out of the car, walks around the hood and opens Mac's door like the perfect gentleman he always is. Swoon! Who would have thought my commitment-phobe best friend would find her perfect guy?
    I smile at Mac and wipe around my mouth, hoping she'll get the subtle hint that her lipstick is smeared all over her face from Daniel's obviously successful calming down method. Sucking her face off to take her mind off meeting the parents. Nicely played, Superman!
    I hear a door crack open behind us, and I turn around to see what I can only explain as a scene out of The Stepford Wives. A gorgeous couple in their late 50s, early 60s, walking down the wide stone stairs in unison. Daniel's mom is wearing a peach-colored twin set and tailored pants that look perfectly pressed, her rich brown hair pristine in its blown out goodness, and his dad is wearing a tailored matching shirt and slacks with spit-polished black, shiny shoes and perfectly coiffed salt and pepper hair.
    All in all, it looks like Daniel comes from good quality, country club stock. Not at all what Mac and I are used to.
    “Daniel, you made it,” his mom exclaims before taking the steps two at a time and running toward him with arms widespread.
    “Mom, take it down a notch. You'll scare her away,” he says teasingly.
    “Oh, stop.” She pulls apart and rubs his arms lovingly before looking over at Mac and I who are still planted next to the car, staring at the encounter in shock. “Mac?”
    I put my hand behind Mac's back and push her forward toward Daniel. “Ah, yeah, that's me. The knocked up one,” she says nervously, gesturing her hand in the air around her stomach. I shake my head, biting my lip to stifle a laugh knowing that Mac can be a real smartass when she's nervous. This is going to be interesting if not a little bit fun to watch. 
    Daniel's father laughs as he steps forward to greet his son with a handshake. “Good to see you, son. Was it a nice drive out?”
    “Yeah, it was. I had to calm down my girl a few times. She seems to think you're scary.” He turns around, holding his arm out to Mac who latches on to him tightly, wrapping her arm around his waist like he's her lifeline. She holds out the bouquet of flowers she bought for Daniel's mother.
    “They're beautiful, Mac. Almost as pretty as you. And who might you be?” she asks, looking over at me.
    “I'm Kate, Mac's best friend,” I reply cheerfully.
    “Oh yes, Daniel has told me about you as well. I hope you're not too sad to be losing a roommate.”
    “Ah, what?” Mac asks, looking up at Daniel questioningly.
    I see him wince then rake his spare hand through his hair. He leans down and whispers something in Mac's ear. I see her whole body relax-whatever he's just told her, it has done the trick. I really need to talk to her about not stressing out so much.
    “Now then, let's get inside so I can get to know my future daughter-in-law,” Daniel's mom says before turning toward the house and walking up the stairs again.
    HOLY FUCKBALLS!
    I look over at Daniel and Mac. Daniel's wide eyes are pointing back at me, and Mac's shoulders are tense again. Damage control round two required stat! I take a few large steps, and I'm immediately at Mac's side just as she turns to me and tries to wiggle out of Daniel's firm grip.
    “Not letting you go so you can freak out again. You can thank me later with that blow job you promised. Until then, we'll try to deflect any long term commitment grenades my mother might throw our way. For the record,” he says, talking to both of us, “we've already talked about moving in together, Mac. And Kate, you know that we'd talk to you before any decisions were made. But if you can't tell, my mother is obviously trying to