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

Akira changed the subject. “So, what about that job at the nursing home?”


“I start this afternoon after my classes. I’m excited. My first real job. It was barely an interview. They asked a few questions, and they knew my mom was a police sergeant. They wanted to know when I could start.”


Akira filled out the lengthy application to become a police reserve. It was almost the same level of application as being a police officer, but the head of the reserves, Gary Rosso, said it’ll be a big step done when she applies for the regular force, and it will give her a leg up in that application process and oral interviews. He added she was a shoe-in.


“The chief of police likes and recommends you.”


Unless the background showed drug use, she was in.


Chapter 48