Micah wheeled around to face her so quickly, she instinctively drew back. “Don’t you get it, Sero? That asshole is making life very difficult for us. He’s submitted all kinds of complaints to the community board, which get forwarded to the landlord and then to us.” He was speaking rapidly, gesturing wildly with the jug in hand. “He’s just going to start up again when our dairy cows get here next week.”

“We’ll just send him a little warning.” Rufus took the jug from Micah, unscrewed the lid and pulled back from the sharp odor. “Show him it’s in his interest to let us be.”

Micah nodded. “And if he keeps messing with us, the karma’s going to come around to him. Use it liberally on the fruit.” He wiped his hands on his jeans. “Live and let live. That’s all I’m saying. Not like it’s strong enough to kill people.”

“I’m not sure about that.” Sero rose slowly from her chair.

“Ah.” Micah waved his hand in her direction. “Don’t worry so much, Sero. It’s fine.”

“Hey, Jas,” Rufus said. “You want to give me a hand with these?” He hoisted the two large black trash bags he’d filled.

“Sure.” Jasmine jumped up to help, and as Sero watched them ascend the stairs, she wondered if there was something going on between the two of them.

Once they were alone in the basement, Micah stepped toward her. “Hey, don’t be angry with me. I can’t handle that right now.” He reached out a hand, and Sero, softening, took it. He caressed her face with both hands, then closed his startling blue eyes and leaned forward to kiss her, long and slow. Despite herself, she melted under his prolonged touch. “Thank god for you, Sero. You, and this . . .” He gestured around the basement. “If it wasn’t for Greenfields, none of this would be possible. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“What are we doing here, Micah?” She couldn’t hold it in any longer; she needed answers.

His mouth formed a lopsided half-smile and his eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, what are we really doing?” She let go of his hands. “I’m not sure anymore. First you said Justin decided to leave, then you said you kicked him out. All decisions are supposed to be unanimous, but you just decided yourself on Cerise and Daphne. You didn’t even ask me, and they’re sharing my room.”

Micah’s smile twisted into a sneer. “Oh, so now you want to question me? Because you’re jealous? Don’t do that, Sero. That is so predictable, so beneath you, common jealousy.” He shook his head and she noticed the pulsing of his jaw muscle.

Sero felt perspiration moisten her armpits. She forced a smile onto her face, stepped forward and took his hand again, hearing the thud of her heartbeat loud in her throat. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, lightly on the lips. “You’re right. I’m so sorry. I just . . . miss you.”