Page 95 of Jaked

Vince gave a noncommittal shrug.

Biance frowned. "Is that all you have to say?"

He held up a hand. "Hey, I'm just the guy with the car keys."

Again, Bianca made a move toward the hall. Again, I blocked her path.

"Will you stop that?" she said.

"Sorry, but I can't let you go back there. Not without Jake's permission."

"Whoareyou?" she said. "Suzy Hall-Monitor?"

"Who areyou?" I said. "Petunia Prairie Lady?"

Her jaw clenched. "Petunia? Really?"

I smiled. "Don't forget the prairie part."

With a long-suffering sigh, she threw up her hands. "Fine. I'll call him."

She reached into her little purse and pulled out her cell phone. She tapped away at the screen and put the phone to her ear. Standing just a couple feet away, I could hear the phone ring once, and then twice.

On the third ring, I heard Jake, loud and clear, say, "Yeah?"

At the sound of his voice, my heart ached. I wanted to yank that phone out of Bianca's bony clutches and beg Jake to come back home.

I gave Bianca a speculative look. She was taller. And mean as hell. She wouldn't give up her phone easily. But if it came to a catfight, I could probably take her.  

Bianca cupped a hand around her phone and gave me an annoyed look. "Do you mind?" she said.

I blinked over at her. "Mind what?"

"Oh for heaven's sake." She turned and started stalking toward the balcony. I didn't bother trying to stop her. If she wanted to freeze her butt off, that washerbusiness, not mine. Besides, there was nothing to steal out there, unless she wanted to lug off some patio furniture. And in that case, more power to her.

When she strode out through the French doors and shut them behind her, I turned to Vince, who was still standing in the entryway.

"How about you?" I asked.

"Me?" he said. "I'm not talking to the guy."

I gave him a no-nonsense look. "Good."

"But thereisanother reason I'm here," he said.

Just great. I expected as much. Was this where he tried to trash the place? Threatened to sue? Went for the good silverware? I frowned. Did Jake even have good silverware? Honestly, he didn't seem the type.

Under Vince's gaze, I put my hands on my hips. "And what reason is that?" I asked.

"To apologize."

My mouth fell open. "Excuse me?"

"Earlier, I was a jackass. And I'm sorry for that."

I glanced around. "So, uh, you want me to relay that to Jake?"

"Hell no," he said. "The apology wasn't for him. It was for you."

I shook my head. "I'm not following."

"Bianca mentioned you'd be here tonight, so…" He gave a shrug. "I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone – give her a ride and tell you that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have blown up like that."

I couldn't help it. I just had to ask. "Did Jake really cost you half a million?"