“Savage and I gotta get going,” Duke said, rising. “There are some prospects that need supervision.”
“I have a client,” Roman said. “He can only come after seven.”
“You’re leaving too,” Brielle said to Virgil.
“No, I’m not. I don’t have a place to be,” Virgil insisted.
“We have some things we need to talk about,” Brielle said. “Girl stuff.”
“Okay, okay. I can tell when I’m not wanted.” Virgil sighed. “Brooklyn, Dad wanted me to tell you he installed the new gas tank, and you can pick up the van tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“What happened to the gas tank?” Willa asked as she was ushering her sister toward the door.
“Someone drilled into it and drained the gas out,” Brielle said.
“Damn, really?” Willa asked. “That’s been happening a lot all over town.”
“It was a pain in the ass, since we literally just bought the thing,” Jazz said with a shake of her head.
Everyone left, and it was just Brielle, Jazz and me. Jazz stood up and moved to the couch, but Brielle stayed on the floor.
I rose and went into the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” Jazz asked.
“Cleaning up. Though, there’s not that much to put away. We demolished the barbecue.”
“And most of the pies,” Jazz noted.
“Waverly sure is a pistol,” Brielle said with a laugh. “Is it wrong that I wanted to hug her?”
I snorted. “No. She has that prickly exterior, but I’m sure she’s just a big marshmallow inside.”
“Willa’s cool too,” Brielle added.
“I think she needs some girl friends,” Jazz said. “I motion we bring her into the fold.”
“I support it,” Brielle said.
“Motion carried,” I said.
Brielle twirled a piece of red hair around her finger. “Did you guys know the building caddy corner from your bakery went up for sale?”
“I’m not surprised. It’s been empty for weeks,” Jazz said. “The street being torn up all along that block is bad for everyone’s business, not just ours.”
“I have news about Kurt Antol,” Brielle announced.
“Uh, why wasn’t that the first thing you brought up?” Jazz demanded.
“Relax, it’s nothing monumental. He works for the Smith Corporation.”
“And?” Jazz pressed.
“That’s all. That’s all I got,” Brielle said. “Is there more strawberry shortcake?”
“A bit,” I said. “So do you have any idea what the Smith Corporation actually is?”