Page 37 of Golden Rule

It’s reality.

“Come on.”

I can feel West looking at me like I’m crazy when I unbuckle my seatbelt, and then open the passenger-side door.

“What are you doing?”

I glance toward the building, tucking my phone into the pocket of the hoodie I stole from him on our way out of the house. “I need a closer look. It’ll take two seconds.”

I give him my best puppy-dog eyes, and as the look on his face softens, I know it’s working, and my expression morphs into a smile.

“We’ll be quick,” I promise, then I don’t give him a chance to talk me out of it, because I’m out of the car the next second.

West climbs out too, but with far more caution than me. He scans our surroundings, and our vastly different upbringings are on glaring display right now. I imagine he sees potential threats everywhere he turns. But me? All I see is home.

Taking his hand when he rounds the front of the car, I lead us closer to the building, imagining it all cleaned up, warm light beaming from the windows, a freshly-paved parking lot, a new fenced-in playground. I see this place being everything it was back in the day and so much more.

The car alarm chirps behind us, and I purse my lips to keep from smiling at his paranoia.

“What are you thinking?”

West’s question rings inside my head as I stare up the brick facing, letting it all sink in—the potential, the work it’ll take to bring this place back to life. A million questions flow through my mind, but there’s one that’s significantly louder than the rest.

Is it worth it?

And the answer is just as loud and bold as the question.

Yes.

“I’m thinking… this place feels right,” I say back. “It’s right in the heart of the community, in walking distance from the high school and middle school, and it’s available for a steal.”

West glances up at it, too. “Possibly because it’s in shambles,” he says with a laugh. “You’re sure you don’t want something that’s a little more… finished?”

I’m already shaking my head. “The location is too perfect. That’s what matters most.”

He studies me for a moment, completely silent. But then, his mouth curves with a smile. A soft kiss presses to my forehead, and I lean into his side, feeling his arm settling around my shoulders.

“Then, if this is what you want, it’s yours. We’ll call and have it all taken care of tomorrow.”

My heart tugs at his gesture, and it isn’t lost on me how fortunate I am. Not many people who grew up here on the southside have access to the resources I do, which is why I’m compelled to give back.

“Let’s do it.”

At my words, he squeezes me tighter, but then doesn’t proceed to rush us back toward the car like I expect. Instead, he can’t take his eyes off the building either.

“It’s perfect, right?”

A small laugh leaves him. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but… yeah. It kind of is.”

His response makes me even more giddy, knowing he sees it, too. It’s so strange how things have come full circle. As a kid, I never would’ve imagined having the means to come back to the southside and make a difference, but standing here, preparing to make an offer on this building, it’s real.

West’s arm tightens around me, and I glance toward him as he speaks.

“So, I can’t help but notice how close we are to your dad’s place,” he says. “You… think we should stop by?”

The question is completely loaded, because we both know I haven’t seen my father since returning home. And we both know that’s because that relationship has been an emotional rollercoaster. So much that I only started calling himDadwithinthe last few years. I guess I’ve been standoffish since returning to Cypress Pointe because… Actually, I don’t really know why.

I mean, we’ve talked once or twice, we text, but that’s been the extent of it. However, if I’m being honest, there were a few times I actuallywantedto stop by. I just… didn’t really know how to go about it.

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