Page 28 of The Love Audit
Deirdre, ever the professional, broke the tension by spinning my chair around to face the mirror. “All right, Jasmine. Let’s give these curls the care they deserve.” I smiled at her in my reflection in the mirror, deciding to file the name Belinda Walker away for later use.
An hour later, as the ladies settled under the dryers and started their mani-pedis, the conversation turned to the upcoming firefighters’ picnic.
“So, Jasmine, are you and Derek planning to come?” Kitanya asked, her toes submerged in a bubbling footbath.
“I haven’t heard about it.” I fought the urge to laugh as an attendant caressed the soles of my feet with a foot file.
“You have to come,” Michaela said. “It’s the second biggest event of the year.”
“After Founders’ Day,” Eleanor clarified.
“I’m in charge of the activities.” Kitanya grinned. “Think races, contests, and a whole lot of fun.”
“And David and I are handling the food,” Eleanor added.
“What’s the deal with the firefighters?” I asked. “Everyone talks about them like they’re royalty.”
“Well, they kind of are,” Kitanya said. “This town wouldn’t be here without them.”
“That sounds… dramatic.”
“It’s more than dramatic,” Minnie chimed in. “It’s the truth. But that’s a story for another day.” She exchanged a knowing look with Eleanor, who nodded subtly.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story. Much more. But for now, I let it go, focusing instead on the warm, sudsy water swirling around my feet.
CHAPTER TEN
Derek
I see your ten,” I called across the table with a cigar hanging out one side of my mouth. “And I raise you ten.” I tossed a yellow chip onto the growing pile in the middle of the green-felt-covered table.
“Too rich for my blood. I fold.” Bubba threw his cards down and leaned back in his chair.
“Same. I’m out.” David threw down his cards. “Anybody want another drink?”
I stayed silent as the rest of the table called out their orders.
“Call.” Roger tossed in an orange chip.
“Call,” Eric repeated and followed suit.
“Full house, baby.” Roger fanned his hand on the table in triumph. “Beat that.”
“If you insist.” I fanned out my hand, displaying four sevens. The table erupted in a chorus of “ooh”s before we turned to Eric. He fanned out his hand to reveal the five of hearts, the king ofclubs, the eight of hearts, the nine of spades and the two of clubs. So, in short, nothing.
The chorus of “ooh”s were replaced by “boo”s.
“Man, what the hell was that supposed to be?” Bubba yelled. “My hand was better than that.”
“And yet you still folded.” Eric shrugged and puffed on his cigar. “You gotta take big risks to get rewards.”
“Yeah, and sometimes you lose big, too.” Roger chuckled and gestured at the stack of chips I was raking toward my chest with my forearm.
“We are the descendants of some of the biggest risk-takers in this country.”
“Welp, here he goes.” Bubba rolled his eyes. “Don’t give him that.” He was referring to the fresh glass of whiskey David placed in front of him.
“My great-grand uncle saw three thousand acres of swampland and turned it into this.” He stomped his feet on the hardwood floor. “It’s heaven, man. It’s an oasis. And it’s still ours.”
