Project Date Read Free Page A

rhetorical question? “Not sure.”
    “That’s what I mean. Daphne should take a page out of your book and find herself a nice man like Barry.”
    I didn’t want a nice man. And I certainly didn’t want Barry. My mind flashed on Rio’s capable, MacGyver hands, and I shook my head. “Mom, Barry and I—”
    My mouth snapped shut as her words registered. Holding the phone out, I rubbed a finger in my ear. Did my mom just say Daphne needed to be more like me?
    “I have to tell you, Philomena, I think Barry is absolutely wonderful. He’s respectful and does good work for the environment. Even your father approves, despite the fact that Barry drives a BMW.”
    When I brought the phone back to my ear, she was still talking, oblivious to my stunned silence. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’ve found such a great man. If only Daphne would too. She should be more like you, Philomena.”
    Be more like me? Twilight Zone alert.
    Mom went on like the world wasn’t spinning off its axis. “I haven’t always understood your choices, Philomena, but I can’t approve of Barry more. You’ve done really well this time. He’s the son your father and I always wanted.”
    I felt a familiar sharp pang in my chest. I was a very successful sys admin, owned a house, and was a third degree black belt in Kung Fu, but to my mom my best accomplishment was the guy I was dating. Who I wasn’t dating as of twenty minutes ago. “Mom, listen. About Barry—”
    “I have to admit that having Daphne come here for a party is only secondary to having her here so I can show her how well you’ve done for yourself with Barry. Maybe you’ll rub off on her.”
    My mouth clamped shut. I couldn’t believe it. Me, a role model for perfect Daphne. For the first time EVER.
    “Maybe you and Barry can come to dinner later this week.”
    I needed to tell Mom I’d broken up with Barry, but the words role model and rub off on Daphne swirled in my mind.
    But it was now or never. She’d given me the perfect opening. So I took a deep breath and said, “Sure, Mom.”
    Wince. Not exactly the right words.
    “Okay, honey. I’ll call you to arrange dinner. And to let you know the date for the party.”
    “Right.” I hung up and stared at the ceiling.
    I really should have told Mom I’d broken up with Barry, but I could just hear the tirade—how I always messed up things in my life. Like college. My career choice. And now the perfect man (gag).
    But, to tell the truth, the most intoxicating part was that Mom (and Dad, by default) finally acknowledged that Daphne wasn’t so great and I was. Sure, it wasn’t for the most optimal reasons, but beggars couldn’t be picky. I’d been waiting for this moment for twenty-eight years. No way was I going to let it pass by.
    That I’d broken up with Barry the night before? Minor technicality. I could fix anything. MacGyver wasn’t my idol for nothing.

Chapter Two
    “Another day, a whole new set of possibilities.”
    —MacGyver, “Slow Death” Episode #19
     
    Rrrep. Rrrep. Rrrep.
    I slammed my fist down on the shrieking alarm clock four times before it shut up.
    Damn alarm. Who in their right mind woke up to one, much less got up predawn? Because eight-thirty was predawn in my book. I covered my head with my comforter and tried to find that warm spot to snooze for a few more minutes.
    Oh yeah, right there. I snuggled down and closed my eyes...
    Rrrep. Rrrep.
    I shoved the covers off me, picked up the devil’s appliance, and threw it across the room. When it hit the wall, I heard the faint snap of plastic breaking.
    “Shit. Now I’ll have to fix that,” I muttered as I stumbled out of bed. First things first. I needed caffeine, and I needed it fast. I pulled my robe on, flipped the hood up, and headed to the kitchen.
    I felt human after two cups of coffee. However, I probably still shouldn’t have answered my cell phone when it rang. Especially since the screen read Daphne .
    But I did.