Page 107 of Nine-Tenths

"And you do still love him? Even after the disappearing act? And all this media bullshit?"

I look back up at the patio, at our abandoned coffee cups and the side plates scattered with croissant crumbs. Then at the other wrought iron tables gathered around the kitchen door, where Dav eats beside—lives beside—the people he's hoarded, the humans who run his life, but who don't live their own subservient to his.

For a brief second, I wish Dav wasn't inside so he could hear me when I say: "Yeah, Stu. I still love him. Like, a gross amount."

"Okay. Fine." He blows out a sigh. "Call Mum. And if there’s a next time, don't leave us hanging so long."

We say our goodbyes, I promise three more times to actually respond to the group chat, and then I repeat the song-and-dance all over again with Gem. Same accusations, same admonitions, same apologies, same promises. Same parting blow: "Call Mum."

Well, with my siblings building it up so much, now I'mnervous.

To buy myself time, I make Hadi the next stop on my Apology Tour.

"What," Hadi answers flatly.

"I'm a prick."

"Yes, you are."

"Am I still welcome at Beanevolence, or will you throw a pot of coffee at my head?"

"Are you going to come to apologize?"

"Yes."

"Then you're welcome. Dav too."

"Thank you."

"Should I have an apron ready for you?"

I look back up at the house. Dav is at our table again, sipping a fresh mug of coffee and staring off over the vineyards, pretending like he doesn't have his ear angled right at me.

"Not yet?"

" 'Not yet' implies a 'maybe soon'. Or is the Marquess Niagara hoarding you like a Kept Man?"

I swallow hard, the jibe hitting closer to home than I like. Dav hunches down in his seat. "That's a conversation for… for later. I'll text you when I know we're coming, okay?"

"Okay."

"I'm sorry, again."

"… me too," Hadi says softly. "For… for not stopping Pedra from taking the beans."

"That was a miscommunication."

"Min-soo is wrecked over it. And I should have talked about Pedra coming in with you—"

"It’s your café, you can do what you want."

"It was still shitty to go behind your back."

"It was. But I forgive you."

"Thanks."

"Okay."

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