Rookie Mistake (California Dreamers #4) by Dakota Madison Read Free Book Online

point a finger at him. “You know exactly how.”
    “Whatever you say, Officer Sweet Cheeks.”
    “And you need to stop that too. My cheeks are not that sweet.”
    He moves so close to me that I can smell his cologne. “Your cheeks are exceptionally sweet.”
    I gulp. I’m almost swept right back under his spell. Then just as quickly I snap out of it. “Nothing is going to happen between us ever again. Got it?”
    “Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
    Before I have a chance to say anything else he turns and marches into the sandwich place.
    Tom Delforio, a guy I went to high school with, manages the shop. As soon as he spots me he hurries over to the front counter.
    “Great to see you, Officer Navarro.” He gives me a warm smile. It’s always strange when people I’ve known since before I joined the force, address me as Officer.
    “And how are you, Mr. Delforio?” I tease.
    “It’s a good day when I’m still standing.”
    Tom had a brush with testicular cancer a few years ago, but doctors were able to treat it. He’s always been thin. Now he’s finally starting to gain some of the weight back that he lost when he was diagnosed.
    For the first time in a long time he looks healthy and happy.
    “The usual?” he asks.
    I nod. I know I’m a creature of habit. I get the same thing for lunch nearly every day: egg salad with tomato and lettuce on a whole wheat bun and a dill pickle. Lemonade to drink.
    Tom glances in Cody’s direction. “Did they assign you a partner?” He doesn’t seem too impressed.
    “I’m a Field Training Officer now. Officer Jackson is a rookie I’m training.”
    “What can I get for you?”
    Cody inspects the large menu hanging over Tom’s head.
    “Do you have any recommendations?” Cody asks.
    Tom taps on the counter impatiently. “What do you like?”
    Cody shrugs. “Anything. Everything.”
    I hope he’s pickier about women than he appears to be about food. I’d hate to think that I was just one of anything and everything . 
    “The toasted ham and cheese is a big seller,” Tom suggests.
    “Sure. Why not?” Cody replies.
    “Do you want a pickle with that?” Tom has never been the most patient person in the world, but he seems to be particularly exasperated by Cody’s nonchalant attitude towards his food.
    Cody gives him another half shrug. “I guess.”
    Tom and I are a lot alike when it comes to our jobs. Our work is everything to us. I don’t get the same impression about Cody. He seems to be pretty laidback about almost everything.
    Except maybe being with me that is. About that he seems quite intense.
    “Anything to drink?” Tom offers.
    “Whatever she’s having is fine.”
    When Tom disappears into the back to prepare our sandwiches I motion to Cody to follow me and I grab my favorite table. It’s along the window that faces a small park. The view is my second favorite thing about the sandwich shop.
    My first favorite thing is the pickles.
    The egg salad is pretty good too.
    “Don’t we need to pay for our food?” Cody asks as we take our seats.
    “Lunch is on me,” I tell him. “I come here so often that Tom set up an account for me. He bills me once a month.”
    “You don’t have to buy me lunch.” He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a ten-dollar bill and places it on the table between us.
    “I don’t want your money,” I tell him.
    “Take it.” He actually sounds insistent, which surprises me.
    “You were so nonchalant about what to order, but you’re demanding that I take your money.”
    “Are you going to take it?” He indicates the cash.
    “No, I’m not.”
    His lips tighten. “Then I’m buying you lunch tomorrow.”
    “Fine. Do what you need to.”
    He glares at me as he removes the money from the table and puts it back into his pocket.
    “Why is that so important to you? Hasn’t anyone ever bought lunch for you before?”
    He shakes his head.
    “Never?”
    His head is still shaking. “I take care of