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

myself.”
    We’re both lost in our own thoughts until Tom brings our food to us.
    “Egg salad for my favorite police officer.” Tom serves my food with a smile.
    When he places Cody’s food on the table his face turns to a scowl. 
    “Thanks so much, Tom,” I tell him. “Everything looks great.”
    “It’s always nice to be appreciated.”
    Tom glares in Cody’s direction, but Cody doesn’t say a word. He just picks up the sandwich and takes a huge bite.
    “Is there a reason you’re not being nice to Tom?” I ask Cody as soon as Tom is out of earshot.
    “He isn’t exactly being warm and fuzzy to me,” he fires back.
    He has a point. I’ve never seen Tom act the way he’s acting with Cody. He’s usually overly friendly and charming to all of his customers.
    “Do you like the sandwich?” I ask.
    Cody nods. I guess he’s back to being Mr. Strong and Silent. Not great for lunchtime conversation.
    “Why did you decide to join a small town department?” I ask. Our quiet beach community isn’t exactly a bustle of activity. A lot of young officers prefer larger city units over small town police agencies. There’s generally a lot more excitement.
    “I had to get out of LA,” he says then bites off half of his pickle.
    Had to get out of LA ? I wonder what that means. His face has turned to stone so I know better than to ask.
    When he wipes his mouth then crumples his napkin into the now empty sandwich basket I get the hint that he’s ready to leave.
    I quickly finish the last few bites of my egg salad and grab my drink to go.
    Cody grabs both of our baskets and takes them over to the trash where there’s a small stack of used baskets. He dumps out the refuse and adds our baskets to the stack.
    “Thank you. You didn’t really have to deal with my garbage.”
    “I know,” he replies then opens the door for me.
    Once we’re both back in the car Cody’s eyes are planted firmly in front of him. He won’t even look in my direction.
    “Is something wrong?”
    “So much for being the perfect policing professional you’ve been preaching about all morning,” he spits. 
    “Alliteration much?” I tease.
    He glares at me. I guess he didn’t find my attempt at humor funny. People generally don’t. Maybe I’m not as witty as I think I am.
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I tell him.
    “You were practically throwing yourself at the manager of the place.”
    “I was not.”
    “You were totally flirting with that guy.”
    “Tom and I have been friends for years. We went to high school together.”
    “Is that how long he’s wanted to get in your pants?”
    “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “I have eyes. I’m not blind. And I’m not stupid.”
    His insistence gives me pause. Do I flirt with Tom ? I have to admit that I’ve always gotten the feeling that he likes me. Did I throw myself at him?
    I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration.
    “Why do you care anyway?” I ask.
    “Because you told me we’re supposed to be representatives of the community when we wear the uniform .”
    “Are you jealous?” When I narrow my gaze at him he squirms in his seat a little.
    “Of sandwich guy? Not at all.”
    “His name is Tom Delforio.”
    “Still not jealous.”
    We could probably argue about this all day, but we get another call from dispatch. This one is suspicious noises behind a clothing store.
    “Did the dispatcher say it sounded like a baby wailing ?”
    “Apparently that’s what the citizen who phoned it in said the noise sounded like.”
    We’re both quiet for several moments.
    “Would someone actually abandon a baby behind a clothing store?”
    I’m not sure if his question is rhetorical, but I answer it anyway. “It’s not unusual for people to abandon their children. One thing you learn on the job is to be prepared for anything.”
    He nods.
    We both unbuckle our seatbelts as I park the cruiser. I have a feeling Cody may be thinking the same