Life Changer (Chicago First Responders Book 2) Read online

  The plan today is to do an easy five miles, but Gio and Luca have been known to do crazy distances whenever the mood hits them. As we stretch against the car in the parking lot, I’m mentally preparing myself to be guilted into running the full course today, which would mean a whole world of pain tomorrow.

  At least if I can’t walk after this, I’ll have two days to recover before my dinner date with Dee on Monday.

  We’ve been like ships in the night this week, but we’ve stayed in touch. That’s not to say I didn’t send a bunch of flowers to the restaurant on Monday morning after our date.

  I’d been ready to take her and claim her as mine right then and there. I’ve never felt that before. Not with anyone, but everything feels so natural with Dee that I’m making a point not to question it. I’m going to enjoy it.

  This is not a quick slam and scram scenario for me. I like Dee. She’s funny and smart, ambitious, and caring. Her sexy body, stunning smile, and husky moan have a lot to do with it as well.

  I swear she almost had me embarrassing myself when we were making out against my car. So fucking hot, and responsive, and greedy—I loved it.

  “Earth to Dad?” Jake says, snapping me out of my daze.

  “Yeah, kid?”

  “Stop mooning over your girlfriend,” he says with a shit-eating grin. The problem with raising a kid who’s the perfect mix of me and his mother is that he’s quick off the mark and doesn’t miss a thing.

  “She’s not my girlfriend yet. We’re still getting to know each other.”

  “Look, Dad. I know it’s been a while for you, but when a guy likes a girl and a girl likes a guy, you lock that girl down before someone else snaps her up. When it’s someone as cool as Dee Duncan, you do that quickly. You get me?” he says, his expression serious.

  “Relationships don’t work that way. You can’t just ‘lock someone down,’ Jake.”

  The teenage love guru rolls his eyes. “Yes. You do. You said her ex was cool with you. Her kid likes you. I like her, and whenever you two message each other, you get this weird smile on your face I haven’t seen since Mom. Admit it, Dad. You’re really into her.”

  Gio wraps an arm around Jake’s shoulder. “Yeah, Dad. Tell us you really, really like her.”

  “God. Here we go.” I roll my eyes and search the sky for some divine intervention.

  “Who do we like?” Luca says, walking into the conversation without a care in the world, Marco following him and standing beside me.

  “Oooh, are we talking about girls? Can we do it while running? Or do you guys wanna sit around with your fingers up your asses while we discuss Rhodes’s love life?”

  I jerk my head Marco’s way. “Yeah. What he said. Let’s go.” Leading by example, I jog away from them toward the start of the official trail.

  “Dad, no pressure, but you know the third date is important, right?” Jake says, moving beside me.

  I give him the side-eye. “You been watching those YouTube dating videos again?”

  “Look, he’s got some good advice,” Marco says.

  I snort. “It’s not my first rodeo, kid.”

  “Well, in fairness to Jake, it’s not like you’ve had to date for a while,” Gio says from where he’s running behind me.

  Luca bursts ahead and turns to face us, running backward as he does. “I’m an expert at modern dating. Ask me anything—I’ll help you out, brother.”

  “When did you last have a girlfriend?” I ask, earning a middle finger from him.

  “Not all of us are as lucky as Marco, who goes to a damn house showing and ends up meeting the love of his life. Sheesh. That shit only happens in books, I swear.”

  “Or movies,” Jake adds.

  Luca nods. “Exactly.”

  “And you would know this how?” Gio asks, not even breaking a sweat as we hit the one-mile marker.

  “Reading romance novels. They’re surprisingly enlightening.” Luca says this like it’s completely normal. For others it is. For Luca Rossi—fuck no.

  “Is that right?” Marco muses. “Let me guess. You’ve been stealing Mama’s bodice rippers? The ones with that long-haired, shirtless guy on the front?”

  I turn my head. “Wait, are you talking about Fabio? My mom used to have those too.”

  “Are we seriously running five miles talking about fucking romance books? Or are we gonna find out the goods from Rhodes about his love life?” Gio says, sounding far too interested in whether I’m getting laid or not.

  Thank heavens for Jake tagging along. “Hello? Son here. Don’t wanna know deets about what Dad is or is not getting up to. As long as he’s happy—that’s all I need to know.”

  Marco snorts. “Dude, you wanted your dad to meet someone.”

  “Yeah. Doesn’t mean I need to hear the locker-room talk. Jeez,” he says, running ahead and leaving us in his dust.

  “What’s that about?” Gio asks.

  “He’s all good.”

  Gio looks from Jake to me, arching a brow. “You sure it’s not all becoming too real for him?”

  “What do you mean?” It hits me. Lily.

  I shake my head. “He’s good. He’s even told me what to wear for my dinner with Dee on Monday. Right down to booking me in for a damn haircut in the afternoon.”

  That makes my friends chuckle.

  Marco smirks at me. “Then he really doesn’t wanna hear how you made out with Dee against your car.”

  I narrow my eyes at him.

  Gio spits out his mouthful of water. “Damn, Rhodes. Keep the goods from Jake, but don’t hold out on me.”

  “Yeah. It’s not like G has anything going on in his love life. He has to live vicariously through yours,” Marco teases as we pick up the pace to catch Jake and Luca. My muscles are starting to burn in a good way.

  “Better than listening to Luca’s exploits. That guy needs to look for quality over quantity.”

  I snort. “Maybe not hitting the clubs with Scotty would be a good start.”

  “He’ll figure it out,” Marco says, sounding all sage-like. For a man who waited years to find his showstopper, he’s a relationship man now through and through, and I couldn’t be happier for him.

  Seeing him fall in love gave me hope, and the more time I spend with Dee, the more hope I have that we do get a second chance to find happiness.

  It doesn’t take away from what Lily and I had. It’s just a different path with another fantastic woman, who could potentially change my life for the better. Only time will tell.

  I’m looking forward to finding out.

  By the time we do six miles then walk a couple more back to the parking lot, we are all dead on our feet.

  Then it’s home to chill out with Jake and do chores as per our usual weekend routine when I’m not working or sleeping.

  It’s when we take a break from working in the backyard that I tackle Gio’s point about Jake and Lily and how he feels about Dee and I dating.

  I sit down on the porch steps and nudge him with my shoulder. “You all good, kid?”

  He screws his lips up, looking at me strangely. “Well, yard work sucks and my muscles are a bit tight, but other than that, I’m good. Why?”

  “G seems to think you might be feeling a bit weird about me dating Dee.”

  He jerks back, his brows lifting so high they almost touch his hairline. “God no,” he says, and I let out the breath I was holding. “I wanted you to start dating. In a million years, I didn’t expect Uncle Marco to set you up with Dee Duncan, but she seems nice, and I hope I’ll get a chance to know her better. She obviously makes you happy, so how can I be weird about that?”

  “Because of your mom . . .”

  He shakes his head. “Look, Mom is a hard act to follow, but I want you to meet someone and be happy. In a few years, I might go away to college, and I don’t like the idea of you being in this big empty house without me. You’re not that old, you’ve still got a lot of life to live. And I appreciate you working hard and focu
sing on me, but you’re a good-looking dude. You deserve a good woman who’ll be there for you, just like you’re here for me and like you were for Mom.”

  “Damn, kid. Hit me right in the feels,” I mutter, lifting my beer to my mouth and taking a long sip to swallow the growing lump in my throat.

  “Besides, she’s a good cook. What else could a growing kid ask for?” He pats his flat stomach. “I am jealous that you get to go to Delish before me though.”

  “You wanna tag along? I’m sure Dee won’t mind.”

  He snorts. “And be the proverbial third wheel? Thanks, but no thanks. Seriously, Dad, I want to see you happy again. If that’s with Dee, all the better. If it doesn’t work out and you meet someone else, so be it. The main thing is that you start living again, because you’ve put in the hard yards with me, and Mom wouldn’t want you to be alone. She said that.”

  My head spins around so fast I almost keel over. “You remember that?”

  “Of course, I do. She also made me promise that we’d look after each other, and this is me doing that. Mom was a rock star. What’s to say Dee won’t be the next headline act in the concert that is your life?”

  What on earth did I do in a past life to deserve him. “Love ya, Kid.”

  Jake’s lips quirk up on the side. “Yeah, Dad. Love you too. But are we done with the D and M now, ’cause I’ll never get a chance to practice my driving with you today if we sit out here gabbing all day.”

  I roll my eyes. “Okay, okay. As long as you know you can talk to me anytime, yeah?”

  Jake places his hand on my arm. “Dude, relax. I’m cool, you’re cool, Dee’s cool. Don’t screw it up, and I’ll be happy.”

  “Why do you think I’ll be the one to screw it up?”

  “’Cause times change, old man. My job is to help you get up with the times.”

  I laugh at that. “Right. Good to know you’ve got my back, kid.”

  “Always.” He smirks before putting his bottle of water down and moving to his feet. “But I won’t complain if you bring me home some of Dee’s cooking after your date. Just saying.”

  I snicker. “Duly noted.”

  “I mean . . . it’s only fair, right? Call it payment for services rendered.”

  My lips twitch and I lift my brow. “Right. So, it’s gonna cost me to get your sage dating advice?”

  He shrugs. “Hey, it’s cheaper than a hooker, Dad.”

  Then he’s walking away, leaving me speechless.

  Rhodes: Hey, sweet cheeks. How’s your night going?

  Dee: Hey. It’s good. Chilling with Harvs at home after teaching him how to make potato gnocchi with a pesto cream sauce.

  Rhodes: Damn. Do you offer lessons? ’Cause I know a sixteen-year-old who loves to eat. Would be great if he could cook as well. Haha.

  Dee: I would for Jake. He already asked me at the BBQ.

  Rhodes: Shit. He doesn’t waste time, does he?

  Dee: It was after he told me to go easy on you.

  Rhodes: And how’s that going for you?

  Dee: After the way you kissed me last Sunday, I’m starting to think there’s nothing rusty about you at all.

  Rhodes: You’re not too bad yourself.

  Dee: Good to know. Feel free to leave a Yelp review online for future kissing recipients.

  Rhodes: Grr.

  Dee: I knew I’d get the caveman to make an appearance.

  Rhodes: If you’re not careful, he’ll come out next time I see you.

  Dee: I’ll look forward to it. I’ve designed a special menu for our date on Monday.

  Rhodes: Care to share?

  Dee: Oh no. That would ruin the surprise.

  Rhodes: You could serve me boxed mac and cheese, and I’d still enjoy it

  Dee: I’m screwing my nose up right now. You do know you’re dating a chef, right?

  Rhodes: Haha. I was trying to be charming.

  Dee: You don’t have to try, honey. You probably charm the pants off women without breaking a sweat.

  Rhodes: I wouldn’t know. Might be interested in testing that theory with you though.

  Dee: Damn. Is it Monday yet?

  Rhodes: Sweet dreams, sweet cheeks.

  Dee: And there you go again. Good night. Stay safe at work tomorrow. I have plans for you, Rhodes Anderson.

  Rhodes: I have plans for you too, Dee Duncan.

  Dee: Can’t wait. And, Rhodes . . .

  Rhodes: Yeah?

  Dee: Can’t wait to taste my cooking on your lips either.

  Yep. Dee Duncan has me hook, line, and sinker. And I, for one, am not complaining.

  Lils, I’ve got a live wire on my hands. Lucky for me, you got me used to it. Lucky for me, I have a chance of getting used to it again.

  Chapter 10

  Dee

  Rhodes: This is Jake. I know Dad won’t ask, but I have no shame. If you make anything good, PLEASE take pity on me and send a doggy bag home. I promise I’ll love it. Especially if it’s that risotto and your chocolate lava cake you demonstrated online today. That looked AMAZING.

  Rhodes: Although, kinda weird when I know the title ‘From First Date to First Mate: How to Turn Him on With Food’ is about my dad.

  Rhodes: Also, this message will self-destruct, because I cannot have Dad knowing I hacked his phone again. He’s running out of pin combinations that he’ll still remember. Take pity on him. He’s old.

  Rhodes: Wait . . . not THAT old. I mean . . . he’s hot for a thirty-nine-year-old, right? Okay, I’m going now, ’cause he’s just getting out of the shower, which means phone fun time gone. BYE.

  The first text stops me in my tracks. The second and third throw me over the edge and have me laughing my butt off as I walk out of my office and toward the front of house to check-in. I managed to squeeze in a quick shower and outfit change too, because there’s a difference between serving guests in chef whites and trying to impress the man you want to kiss again—maybe more than kiss again—on a date where you’re cooking for him.

  And why the hell am I nervous about making Rhodes a meal tonight? I’ve cooked for politicians and royalty—well, it was some third cousin twice removed—and even celebrities. I’ve made dishes for other chefs I’ve admired and looked up to for years. Yet cooking for Rhodes for the first time has me on edge?

  Knowing I need to calm down, and with thirty minutes to go before he’s due to arrive, that leaves me with two options: drink or call someone to give me an ego boost.

  I save the former as a last resort and opt for door number two in the form of a group text recently formed between Renee, Skye, Gilly, and Faith.

  Dee: Quick. Someone tell me I’m the best chef you’ve ever met.

  Faith: What do I get out of this text-a-compliment service?

  Skye: Your buffalo wings were pretty damn good.

  Faith: Skye, you’re pregnant. You’re at the ‘eat anything’ stage.

  Skye: Amen to that.

  Renee: Dee, that man would eat anything and everything you offer up to him on a plate.

  Skye: That’s what she said!

  Renee: Oh my god, I didn’t mean THAT.

  Skye: Why not? I would mean that. Tonight’s the third date, isn’t it?

  Faith: Technically the second. BBQ with firehouse and family doesn’t count.

  Skye: True. No chance for anything sexy to go down at my place. So, second date rules apply then. Easy peasy.

  Dee: Wait, there are rules for different dates? When did that become a thing?

  Faith: Probably around the time you were graduating high school and shacked up with your husband.

  Skye: BOOM. She kinda has a point there.

  Dee: Says Faith who MARRIED her childhood sweetheart!

  Faith: And thank god I did! He doesn’t care about first, second, or third date rules. He’s a take what he wants kind of guy.

  Gilly: Ezra is an any way he can get it guy.

  Dee: Eww.

  Faith: Double eww. That’s our brother.

&nbs
p; Gilly: Yep. And thank god for him.

  Dee: Have any of you got some actual advice? I’m on the verge of freaking out. What if I screw up the risotto and he thinks I’m all show and no substance?

  Renee: Babe, he calls you sweet cheeks. According to Marco, that’s not a Rhodes thing to do. He’s also whistling at work.

  Skye: It’s true. Rhodes isn’t a whistler. He might hum along to some song on the radio or something, but he doesn’t whistle like he’s a man who’s got the girl.

  Dee: He hasn’t got me yet.

  Gilly: Not what I heard.

  Renee: Not what I SAW.

  Dee: Damn.

  Faith: Busted.

  Skye: Haha, this is gold. Delilah Baker, one word: RELAX. And another word: ENJOY. Rhodes wants you, not your damn risotto.

  Faith: In all fairness, Skye. It is a damn good risotto.

  Skye: Damn. See, if I send Cohen to the restaurant, can we buy your best offering?

  Dee: Sure.

  Faith: Skye, can you still see your toes? ’Cause after Dee’s risotto, you won’t be able to.

  Surprisingly, I’m a lot less tense after that little five-minute pep talk. And Skye is right. Rhodes is not with me because of the videos or the profile or the rave reviews about the most popular rice dish on my menu. I know that. It was a momentary speed wobble. A little self-esteem reality check. Maybe it’s because I really like Rhodes. It’s been a long time since I’ve doubted my ability to deliver a mouthwatering, rave-about-it-for-days meal for anyone I’ve cooked for.

  I may not have seen Rhodes coming into my life the way he did, and I certainly didn’t expect my brother to set us up together, but I have absolutely zero regrets about it now. He makes me smile, he makes me laugh, he turned me on with an almost kiss, and then definitely delivered on everything he promised at the end of the night.

  He’s smart, he’s honest, and he’s a good dad. Oh, and he wasn’t a dick to Flynn, which means he got my ex-husband’s tick of approval. Apparently that’s a thing.

  Which makes me wonder if I’d have gotten Rhodes’s wife’s acceptance too? I don’t let myself go too far down that path, because I haven’t asked about her yet. And Rhodes hasn’t said much about her either. I’m hoping tonight could allow us to broach the subject. I think it’s important, for him and for me. Maybe I’ll bribe him with Jake’s doggy bag.