Akira Watanabe’s greatest issue isn’t being a lesbian, but rather having a father with the maturity of a teenager. He’s a heavy drinker and hardly works, so she supports them both with a job at a local convenience mart. It’s there she befriends police sergeant Rosey Garatino, who frequents the store and lives in the same complex as the Watanabes. Akira has the hots for a Goth girl named Jade, but unfortunately, Jade likes guys, and she also drinks and smokes. One night when Jade comes into the store, drunk, and tries to steal some beer, Akira stops her. Jade gets sick, and Akira helps her outside. Sparks fly between them, but nothing happens. Later Akira hears rumors that Jade is a lesbian. The heat that smoldered between them now sparks into a fire, especially when Jade promises to quit drinking and smoking. Akira’s surprised to learn Jade is Rosey’s daughter. Growing up can be difficult in the best of situations, but the neighborhood where Akira and Jade live is dangerous, too. As their friendship deepens into love, will they be able to protect each other and find their happy ending?

Saving Akita

“Ah, so my favorite employee is dating the Goth girl. Be careful. She might be bad news.”


“She’s as soft inside as any of us.”


Marshall slapped his forehead. “Oh, geesh, I know it’s almost time for you to leave, but there’s a case of that new, expensive dark chocolate in the back corner. Would you find it and bring it out?”


Akira strolled to the back and checked all over the storeroom and couldn’t find what Marshall wanted. Beleaguered, she returned to the store area to find Jade, smirking with a bouquet of carnations. She wore her sexy, long Goth coat and awesome, dangling earrings of skulls. Marshall looked like the cat that ate the canary.


Jade extended the flowers forward. “Happy Tuesday.”


Chapter 22