I hope, anyway. My gut instinct when I talked to her didn’t send up any red flags and after a decade as a cop, I trust my gut—kinda have to in this city,
“She’s already met Scotty and hasn’t run a mile. That has to count for something, right?” Cohen says. We all laugh at that.
“Or . . .” Marco meets my gaze and waggles his brows. “It could be the best thing that ever happens to you. Look at me.” He rests his chin on Renee’s shoulder. “I went to a house viewing and found my princess.”
Val and Mama look like they’re about to melt into a puddle on the floor, whereas Luca makes gagging noises and Cohen just laughs.
I groan though because I feel the change in the air, and it’s the kind of change that never means good things for a Rossi man. All the women in the room grin at each other, exchanging knowing looks—ones that tell me I’m in trouble because there are hearts in their eyes, and that means plans I won’t like are being concocted. But I haven’t survived thirty-four years on this earth and in this family without learning one thing—there’s no stopping Rossi women—and a soon-to-be Rossi woman—on a mission. And right now, that mission is me and my new roommate.
I narrow my eyes and point my finger out, moving it between all of them, even Mama. “No. Whatever you’re all thinking, stop it.”
“Gio, my boy. You let us women do what we do. This Alexandra is new to town. She needs friends, people to show her around,” Mama says.
I hold my breath, hoping she isn’t about to say what I think she’s going to.
“She needs a family while she’s here. That can be us. Our family can be her family,” Mama finishes.
“Damn, G. I actually feel sorry for you,” Cohen says with a wary laugh—one that stops the minute Mama’s narrowed eyes slice his way.
“Cohen Cook, you may not be my blood, but you’re one of my sons all the same.”
“Yes, Mama,” Co says, sounding contrite. I snicker to myself, loving how quickly he falls under Mama’s thumb just like the rest of us.
“And you, Gio Rossi. You will invite Alexandra to our next lunch. You’ll also get to know your roommate and make sure she feels welcome. Capiche?” There’s only one woman that can make me feel like I’m ten years old again, and she’s looking right at me.
“Yes, Mama.”
Then it’s like a switch is flicked and my mother is all smiles and sunshine again. “Right. Now, let’s eat.”
5
Alex
One thing my parents always instilled in us kids was punctuality, which is why I’m up with the birds and walking through the firehouse doors half an hour early for my shift on Monday with a huge smile on my face.
Last night, I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had since arriving here. Not being in a hotel room had a lot to do with it, but it was also nice to be in a bed of my own, in my own space, excited for my shift today in a job where I’m not known for my last name. I’m not weighed down by expectations—either self-imposed or from my family—and can just be.
“Hey, Alex,” Marco says as soon as I enter the big open-plan living area of the station. “You’re nice and early.”
I shrug. “I like being on time, and I figured I could get settled in and packed away before our shift starts.”
“Good idea. I’ll show you to your locker then.” He nods toward the hallway I’d walked down on Friday, and as we pass the outgoing crew members, he stops and introduces me. Five minutes later, we reach the locker room. He stops in front of an empty one halfway along the row. “Here ya go.”
“Thanks,” I say, dumping my bag down on the bench and opening it up while Marco takes a seat.
“So, did you get settled into Gio’s okay?” Marco asks.
“Yep. And thanks for that, and the furniture. Kinda makes up for not telling your brother about me.”
The Lieutenant throws his hands in the air by his head, his eyes full of amusement. “In my defense, that was more Luca’s doing than mine. Besides, sometimes G needs a bit of a spark in his life.”
“He seems pretty low-key and down to earth,” I reply as I place my toiletries bag in my locker beside a plastic container full of snacks that I always like to keep stocked up. When you’re working twenty-four hour shifts, snacks are life.
“He is. But he’s all work and no play.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” It’s just not for me. I spent far too many years working and living a humdrum life because that was what I thought was expected of me—by my parents, the townsfolk, my ex-boyfriend . . .
“Not at all. But having recently met my reason for living, I can definitely see the upside to having a life outside of the job. That’s something my little brother is yet to learn.”
“Is this a big brother talk? ’Cause I have one of those, and I guess if Gio is anything like me, he doesn’t much like taking brotherly advice.”
“Pretty much.” Marco chuckles as he moves to his feet. “It’ll just be good for him to have someone else around the house—that’s all I’m saying. Anyway, I’ll leave you to it. Meet us in the garage in twenty and I’ll run through the start-of-shift procedures with you.”
I open my mouth to tell him it’s not necessary, but he beats me to the punch.
“I know you’re not a rookie. You’ve got a few more years in your boots than others on this shift, but it’s a new station, new crew, so if you can humor me for half an hour so I can do my duty as your lieutenant, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure thing, Marco. And thanks. I guess things are gonna be a bit different in the city.”
He waves me off. “Pfft. Just bigger and maybe better equipment. The basics are still the same. See you soon.”
I finish what I’m doing and after a quick bathroom break, I wash my hands and stare at myself in the mirror, my brand-new navy-blue shirt looking crisp and bright and ready to be dirtied up. “You’ve got this, Alex,” I say to myself. “You’ve been training for this your whole life.”
With my affirmation cup full, I tighten my ponytail and head toward the garage, ready to dive headfirst into this new opportunity.
I was expecting to have to line up when I got to the garage. I figured things would be more formal and regimented in the big city. Instead, I find the crew of all guys milling about, talking to each other. That’s until my presence is noted, and it feels like my first day at school as everyone’s attention turns my way.
Rhodes steps forward and shakes my hand. He’s the other lieutenant who I met in the Captain’s office the other day. “You’ll be the new shiny toy for a while.”.
“’Cause I’m a woman?” Everyone I met on Friday seemed nice and friendly so I never considered that 101 wouldn’t be welcoming of a female firefighter. I didn’t think I’d have to.
“God, no. And definitely not going to bite on that one. I just meant because you’re new here. Nobody cares what gender you are,” he replies.
A sigh of relief escapes me and I square my shoulders. “All good then. I can deal with being shiny and interesting for a while.”