Page 114 of Nine-Tenths

Hadi interrupts me with a cackle.

I huff and drop down into the chair. "Internet fame fleeting?"

"Isn't it always?" Hadi asks. "At least it was enough of a boost to the business that I got the last of the loans paid off. This is about our usual crowd, now."

"Hey, congrats," I say. "That's great."

"Thanks. So. Job—yes? No?"

"Job?" Dav asks as he slides into the chair beside me, gracefully placing three mugs on the table. A tobio, a regular for Hadi, and a thickly frothed, caramel-drizzled monstrosity for me. Nice.

"What, Colin didn't tell you about his dramatic, apron-throwing tantrum?" Hadi teases. If her opinion of Dav has changed since he was taken away, she’s not letting on.

"I didn’tthrow it!" I protest as I settle back with the mug cupped between my hands. "I placed it in your hands."

"Forcefully."

"Either way, you still quit," Hadi points out.

"But you're so good at this job," Dav says.

"Keep your kinks in the bedroom, darling," I laugh, patting his thigh. Dav huffs, a sort of hissy not-human thing that’s partially a laugh. He lays his arm along the back of my chair and I lean back until my neck is resting on the inside of his elbow.

Hadi rolls her eyes, and I waggle my eyebrows, like,Jealous that my man is awesomest? You should be.

"Not gonna lie, it may be nice to have some, er, reason to leave the house, you know?"

"Hey, if you don't actually need it, Rajish wants the hours," Hadi points out.

"Oh, yeah," I say, suddenly glum. "That would be sucky of me."

"And your expertise is appreciated on the farm," Dav says. He and Hadi share a look over my head that reminds me of when my parents would talk me into accepting a decision they had already made.

Hadi may be the mom-friend but,heckno, this is not happening. I get bossed around enough by the twins. I'm not letting my best friends haggle for my time without any input from yours truly. "Hold up. I don't like where this is headed."

"So youdowant to come back?" Hadi asks.

Dav frowns. "Surely you're not looking for the media circus to restart?"

"No, but—"

"And appearing in public with my token, there will be speculation."

"I won't wear it on shift."

"Colin," Dav chides gently. "You know that will cause more problems than it will solve."

"To be honest," Hadi cuts in, "I don't know if I could sustain another employee—"

"Okay! I get it! I'm not wanted!"

Hadi gives me the stink-eye. "Who said anything about 'not wanted'?"

"Aren't I?"

"You're notneeded, Colin," she says patiently. "There's a difference."

"I'm not really needed back at the farm, either, am I?"

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