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Adrena was still working with people on applications, so we went through the washing slower this time and then gathered around prep tables after I found knives.
I made sure to put a pail of the skins off to the side for Sia, but the rest I showed them how to handle. It was all going in the huge open-top container for a composting farm not far away.
“So this middle part you break off the sections and put the good ones in the pails for her to use,” I explained since she’d already taught me. “The bigger ones have a seed in them you need to get out.” I showed them a bruised one. “And this, toss. Anything not like bright white toss or leave to the side for Adrena to check.”
“You really just eat them?” Robby checked, giving it a suspicious look.
“They’re really fucking good,” I promised, popping a piece in my mouth. “It’s like peachy banana.”
“That is good,” one of the girls agreed. “My mom was going apeshit over the sample she got at the farmers market and was bummed she didn’t buy any. She’s going to burst when I tell her I’m working here.”
Deon called me, and one of the girls actually knew the system from helping the summer before at her mom’s office. So she got on the phone and walked us through what to do but promised she had it.
Well, she was certainly hired in my mind. She was nice to jump in like that, so I hoped it worked out, but Adrena was so relieved I was glad we had a solution.
“Before everyone goes, Adrena’s security guy told me to make it clear that no pictures are allowed. This is privateproperty and she can say that. No posting about here or any social media that’s not done through her people.
“Corporate espionage is a real thing and her friend just had a shit ton of crap with it. So everyone’s a bit sensitive, but it will protect you guys too,” I said a couple hours later when they were done.
Everyone seemed in agreement, a few asking if they could keep their phones on them for emergencies or in case their parents called.
“I think we should have a phone on the table rule,” she admitted. “People are going to be going back and forth, but if everyone leaves them on vibrate and checks them now and again, that would be better than a smartphone getting smashed in a pocket. And I say that as someone who’s done it against the carts. Twice.”
“Just text your helicopter parents when you start your shift like I do mine,” Robby said to the others when they started to object.
I was glad he’d come up with that. Speaking as someone who’d never had anyone care until Klara, she basically left me alone.
They took off and Adrena looked equal parts thrilled and exhausted.
But she was like the little engine that could, and after she got all the kettles loaded and cooking, she grilled us up someamazingsteaks along with baked potatoes, corn, and a salad. And all of it was awesome down to her black tea she brewed with fresh blackberries and honey.
“Can I help after the dishes?”
“Sure, but I feel like I’m taking advantage of you,” she worried.
Was she for real?
I chuckled. “I’m having a blast Adrena. Honestly. We can figure out a real job and whatever if you want, but don’t worry about me. This is way better than Klara’s.” I winced when her eyes flashed shock. “She was never home and it was awkward since she was the one who filled me in and she wasn’t really my foster mom, but she was and then I was of age—”
“I get it, that limbo feeling of not being able to grab onto anything and making you cranky. Well, I’m glad because you’ve been amassivehelp already. Really, thank you, Finn.”
I nodded, feeling my face flush slightly. That was the other thing about staying here that I liked. Adrena might be a real adult, but she didn’t treat me like a little kid. Klara was centuries old, and to her I might as well have been a damn toddler. Here I could be useful and find a role. I liked it.
She accepted the help though. She taught me how to pick star fruit and guavas for what she was cooking in the morning and then finished up in the brewhouse.
I had just brought the last of the carts over and then they were locked up for the night when she stood like she’d made a touchdown. I saw the last of the jars were done and on the rack to go in the fridge.
After she stowed that away, I got to see again how her cleaning charm worked before we drove the ATV back. She said she was heading to bed, and after she’d talked at dinner how she liked her balcony, I decided to get a bit of revenge for the past two nights.
It worked because not five minutes after I dove into the pool I glanced up and saw her standing on her balcony.
And she was giving me a hungry look, clearly able to tell I was naked but not what I had. I met her intense gaze with my own, trying to let her know I felt the same and still sort of issue a challenge that she join me.
Or maybe accept what I was clearly offering.
To my immense disappointment, she didn’t. She simply licked her lips as she eyed me over and then headed back into her room.
Damnit. Even worse, she did it again that night after I was in my room.
