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The idea of anyone replacing Gabe in the family sat like a stone in Sofia’s stomach. True, she was still angry at Gabe for dying and was desperate to move past the career block his death had become. But no one could ever replace her brash, brave, big brother.
“I mean, he’s practically already family.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sofia snapped at him, daring him to back that up. What did he know?
“Twelve years is a long time to learn about the running of a company. He’s been with us through a lot of ups and downs, and if Dad trusts him to be the crew boss, so do I.” Enzo tossed his pruners into his work bucket and picked up a shovel.
“I’ll tell you one thing. He’s not going to bemyboss.” Sofia spun to see Frankie strolling up the path in ancient cargo pants and a freebie shirt that had seen better days.
“Has Dad said anything to you?” Sofia was hoping for more details so she could craft her response before Dom jumped off the deep end and got everyone into trouble.
“No. But he knows I want to run the company. I’ve dropped enough hints, and I’m putting in the man-hours to become head contractor. This is our company, and I’ll be damned if I let someone swoop in and nab it just because Dad thinks I’m too young.” Frankie’s crossed arms and scowl sent a clear message.
“No one said anything about making him your boss,” Enzo argued while he jabbed his long-handled shovel into the ground, clearing a hole for his cypress to live in happily.
“So far no one has said that he won’t be either. I wouldn’t put it past Dad to pull some crap like that.”
“Frankie, if he was family, would you have a problem with it?”
“If he was family, we’d have hashed out this plan together a thousand times during our childhood. We’d have made a pact to run it together. We’d have secretly teamed up to outsmart the middles. But he’s not family, so yeah it’s a problem.”
“So if I’m hearing this correctly, we have one for and two against his proposal?” Enzo asked.
“One and a half for and against. Lord knows we’re going to need some help if the pilot gets picked up, and I’m not against him being a part of the company. But until someone can tell me what part that would be, I’m withholding judgment. We should also talk to Seth about this before we go any further.” Sofia was trying to hold to her impartial position, but her father’s silence wasn’t making it easy.
“Talk to Seth about what?” Her cocky cousin walked up behind Sofia and put his head on her shoulder to surprise her.
“Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.”
“What plot are we hatching now? Are we gonna go egg someone’s tree house again?”
“Hush! There is no evidence to suggest that we had anything to do with that. No, we’re talking about Adrian’s partnership proposal. Have you talked to Dad about it?”
“No. I figured it would work itself out. If he wants to buy in, I don’t have a problem with it. Heck, Nick just bought in when we merged companies.”
“Nick bought in but only retained the rights to decisions involving his custom furniture branch of the company. Adrian’s situation is different. He’d be buying in to have a say over the building business, and equity. How does that work? Seth, do you get Zio Tony’s part of the business and we four split Dad’s? Do we reset the pot and do an equal split five ways? Does Nick want to get in on that and make it six?”
Seth shrugged.
“No, dammit. You can’t shrug this off. Why am I the only one thinking about all this?”
“Well, you are the business manager.”
“NO, I AM NOT! I’m the designer. And just because you all don’t pay the bills doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about the structure of this company. Frankie, how would you feel if Adrian was your boss versus an equal partner?”
“Dad knows I want to run the building teams one day.”
“He doesn’t think you’re ready yet, and Mom wants him to retire now.”
“That’s not going to happen, Fi.”
“But it could, because who knows what Dad is thinking. Has anyone talked to him lately?”
“No. He’s been avoiding us. He hangs out with Jake whenever he’s here, and I definitely don’t want to talk about this with that snake listening in. He gives me the creeps.” Frankie shivered dramatically.
“Anyone talk to Mom either? How’s she holding up?” Shrugs. Crickets. Sofia looked over her shoulder and saw Trina approaching with her camcorder rolling. “Okay. I’ll check in on her. If anyone can corner Dad, share the details, okay?” She raised her voice and angled herself toward the front door. “Now, let’s get this house ready to reveal. The yard looks fantastic, Enzo. Frankie, thanks for coming to pitch in. Can you finish the trim in the nursery? Come on, Seth. I’ll help you carry in the island.”
* * *
