“I recovered the bag and came straight back to return it to its rightful owner. How about we leave it at that.”
Gio arches a brow, his expression full of understanding. It’s not the first time I’ve stepped in to try and change the direction of a delinquent teen’s life. “You send him to your dad?”
I nod. “Yeah. Whether he turns up there or not is another question.”
“Wait,” Dee says, speaking up. “You let the mugger go?” Her tone isn’t angry. It’s . . . curious.
“Yeah. I’m sorry if that’s not what you expected. I kind of threw my phone at you, barked out orders, then took off like a bat out of hell. But when I caught up to him, he was just a desperate kid living on a wish and a prayer. He just needed someone to give him a chance.”
“Oh wow,” she whispers. While in the alley with Pete, I hadn’t really thought about how Dee might react to me letting him go, but I didn’t expect her to be looking at me with wonder.
“I’ll check in with Don and keep my finger on the pulse. Ms. Duncan—”
“Dee, Officer. Call me Dee.”
Gio smiles. “Okay, Dee. Are you wanting to press charges?”
“Oh god, no. I’m just grateful Rhodes, here, was able to get it back for me. My keys and phone are in there. It would’ve been a pain in the butt to get the locks changed at the restaurant and home.”
“And is everything still in there?” Gio asks.
“Damn, I didn’t even check. I was too busy thanking my Good Samaritan here.” Dee opens her purse and rummages through the contents inside.
“Rhodes is good like that,” Gio murmurs, and I narrow my eyes at him, which just makes his smirk deepen.
Dee lets out a sigh of relief. “Phew. It’s all here.”
“Okay, Ms.—Dee.” Gio catches himself. “If that’s everything, I’ll leave you both to it.”
I don’t miss his intimation but choose to ignore it. Because Lord knows the Rossi brothers won’t let me live this situation down anytime soon.
“Thank you, Officer. Sorry to waste your time,” Dee says, holding out her hand to Gio and shaking his. “And I meant what I said. Make sure you come down for a meal. I know I can’t give it to you on the house, but that doesn’t mean I can’t give a heavy discount,” she adds with a wink.
“I might just do that, Dee.” He turns to me. “Later, hero,” he says. I’m tempted to flip him the bird, but since Dee is standing next to me, I’m thankfully able to refrain.
Gio and his partner get into their patrol car and soon drive away.
“I should let you—” I say, as Dee holds out her hand, “Here’s your phone back.”
Both our eyes widen before she blushes, and a wry grin curves her plush, pink lips. She pulls my cell out from her back pocket.
“Thanks. I’d kind of forgotten about that in all the drama.”
“I am truly grateful, Rhodes. Not many people would jump in to help a stranger like that.”
I’m suddenly struck with a bit of guilt. Probably not the best time to admit I know who she is, right? “I’m a firefighter. Helping people is my job.”
Her eyes grow soft and warm. “Oh. Well then, I guess I was lucky that one of the CFD’s finest was walking by in my time of need then.” Wait. Is she flirting with me now?
“It’s no trouble, honestly.”
“Handsome, honest, and humble. That’s a dangerous combination, Rhodes.”
Yep. Definitely flirting. “Not sure about the humble part.”
Her hazel eyes crinkle at the sides. “Ah, gotta be impressed by a man who knows his best attributes.”
My cheeks burn hot. What the hell, Rhodes? Man up already. “I’m just glad it turned out for the best.”
“Definitely. Well, I’ll let you go, but you have to come back for a meal on the house. I can’t be seen to be bribing police officers, but since you’re not on duty, I can show my gratitude without getting you in trouble.”
“It’s not necessary—”
“Nope,” she says, shooting me a beaming smile. “Bring the family. Make it a big night out.”
“That’d be me and my son, Jake. He’d probably eat you out of house and home.” I tilt my head toward the building. “Or your restaurant, as the case may be.”
“Oh, bring it on. My ten-year-old hasn’t managed to do that, and I swear he was born with hollow legs.”
I chuckle. “Boys. They keep us on our toes.”
“And at the grocery store, it seems,” she says with a laugh.
“That too. I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’re busy.”
A flash of disappointment crosses her gaze. “Yes. I have to get home in time for hockey practice, then back here for the dinner rush. But please, Rhodes. Do come back, try the food. I’m a bit biased, but I promise it’s good. And it’ll fill even the most ravenous growing teenage boy. Make sure to call ahead and I’ll tell my maître d’ to put you at my table.”
“I’ll pay my way though, Dee.”
She opens her mouth to protest but shuts it when I continue.
“But you can repay me by joining me for a meal.” I put myself out there. That’s progress.
Dee bites her lip and studies me, as if weighing up her options. For a moment, my heart lodges itself in my throat. Maybe I misread the signs—or she’s just not that into me.
Then she rolls her eyes. “Oh, I suppose I could be persuaded,” she says, a gorgeous, cheeky grin transforming her already beautiful face. “But you better be as charming at dinner as you are now, Mr. Hero. Otherwise, I’ll have gotten my hopes up for nothing.”
I wouldn’t be able to fight my smile even if I wanted to. Flirting with Dee might be my new nighttime dream fodder. “I’ll try my best, Ms. Duncan.”
She smiles and starts walking toward the restaurant. “I look forward to seeing you again, Rhodes.
