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

Rosey had a few weeks more of recovery before returning to work, and she used the time to catch up on reading and sleep, and sex with Mark. She vowed to lose weight and get in better shape physically, and she said she was interested in taking Jujitsu at the school Akira taught at, making Akira feel great.


Rosey talked to Akira about doing ride-alongs with her and other officers and arranged a meeting with the director of the police reserves to give Akira a head start on her policing career. They talked aboutthe understaffing, but with the lawsuits finished, the POA was working with the city to have more police academies and increase pay. If Akira were hired, she’d be part of the rebuilding process.


Things were going well six months later. Rosey was on day shift and later transferred to the detective division. She was happy there. She was studying to take the test for lieutenant. Jade and Akira were in their second year of community college.


Chapter 44