Page 57 of The Love Audit

“Yeah, you could say that, but that’s not the reason—” I paused. “Well, it’s not the only reason I called.”

“What’s up, D? This sounds serious.”

“It is.”

“Well, hit me with it.”

“You remember the Tulsa Massacre?”

“Yeah, we watchedLovecraft CountryandWatchmentogether. Of course I remember it.”

“You know how I’m in this town Miller’s Cove, cofounded by a wealthy Black inventor in 1922?”

“Yeah, you told me. What does one have to do with the other?”

“That cofounder, John William Pike, was a survivor of the Tulsa Massacre. That’s how he ended up in Florida and why he founded a town that no one’s ever heard of.”

“That is some crazy work, Derek. So what do you need me for?”

“I need your advice.” I sighed and dropped my head into my palm. “I can’t do it. I can’t hand this place over to MasonCorp.”

“What happens if you don’t?”

“I lose my job.”

“And if you do?”

“I keep my job, but I won’t be able to look at myself in the mirror.”

“This is the corporate grind. Why is this one so different? Is it because of Jasmine? Tell me you’re not thinking of tanking your career because of the girl you’ve had a thing for your entire life.”

“No,” I protested. “It’s not because of Jasmine.” At least, I hoped it wasn’t. “It’s this town, this place, these people, and a lot of other stuff.”

“‘Other stuff’ like what? You’re not telling me anything.”

“Other stuff like Oscarville, Rosewood, Seneca Village, Slocum, Ocoee and who knows how many other towns. I don’t know if another place like this exists. How can I, of all people, be the one responsible for destroying it?”

“So what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to tell Edward Mason to kiss my ass.”

Chris let out a loud laugh, and I couldn’t help but crack a smile despite the severity of my situation.

“I wouldn’t recommend that, but if you’re feeling this strongly, you have to follow your gut.”

“Yeah, but if I don’t do this, someone else will, so is it really worth throwing away ten years of hard work?”

“Well, it sounds like it is,” Chris said. “Listen, kid, you’re the second smartest person I know. You’ll figure out a way to make this work. One lesson Dad taught us is that integrity is your most important asset. It’s what makes you a man.”

“Yeah, and look where Dad’s integrity got him.”

“That’s not the point. Make whatever you feel is the right decision. Follow your heart, and everything will work itself out.”

“Speaking of following my heart…” I trailed off.