Her smile widens when she sees Robbie, and then slides right off like her face is made of Teflon when she sees me. She whispers something to Sunny, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Lily!” Daisy flails her arms like a cheerleader on PCP. Lily turns away from her huge hair and accepts the hug.
“Hi, Momma Two. How was your weekend away? Did you have fun?”
“Too much to talk about without embarrassing everyone!” Daisy winks.
I glance at Robbie. He gives me a smug smile and nabs another bun. I think he might have already been into his research today.
“Oh! Kale, Benji! I didn’t see you there!” Daisy’s voice is high-pitched, and she gives Sunny an odd look.
Right behind Lily are two other guys. They look like they could be brothers, or hipster soulmates.
They’re clearly trying to join the beard brigade and failing. While there’s hair on their chins and cheeks, it’s patchy and ungroomed. It makes them look like homeless douches who stole clothes off the rack from the Khaki and Plaid Depot.
So one of these guys is Sunny’s high school ex-boyfriend? I’m definitely in way better shape, and I can grow a legit beard. And I can give her orgasms. All this should make me feel better, but with the way Daisy is looking at Sunny, it doesn’t.
Robbie gives me an eyebrow lift, grabs a fourth cinnamon bun, and nods in the direction of the door. “You better get over there, son.”
The skinnier of the two guys gives Daisy a hug. When he sees Robbie, he gets stupid excited. “Hey! Robbie, how’s it going? I was all bummed out thinking you wouldn’t be back until later today.”
“Our flight got changed at the last minute. It was an early morning, but otherwise I can’t complain.” Robbie’s eyes pass over me again.
Kale goes in for a man hug when he’s finished mauling Daisy. I have to wonder how long those two dated, based on how familiar he is with her family. Or maybe it’s been a long-ass time since they’ve seen him. Either way, their reaction says a lot. He’s the beef tenderloin, and I’m the McDonald’s Big Mac.
I make sure I’m not leaking pool water all over Sunny’s mom’s floor before I cross the hardwood.
“Hey, Lily, how you doin’?” I open my arms like I’m looking for a hug.
Her eyes do this weird widening thing and her lips contort, as if she’s fighting not to make a face. She ends up looking like she’s having a facial seizure. She leans forward and pats my back, straining her neck so almost none of her touches me. It’d be funny if I wasn’t already offended.
I loop an arm around Sunny’s waist from behind.
“Miller! You’re all wet!”
“That makes one of us.” I don’t mean it the way it sounds, but everyone’s eyes shoot in my direction. Sunny’s cheeks go pink, Lily looks mortified, and Daisy looks stunned. Only Robbie’s too engrossed in licking his fingers to notice. Kale’s reaction is the best. He looks annoyed.
I pretend like I haven’t said something inappropriate and stick out my hand to the guy I know didn’t date Sunny. “You must be Lily’s boyfriend. I’m Miller.”
“Oh, I know who you are.” He takes my hand and squeezes like he has something to prove. “Benji.”
I squeeze back until he flinches. “You watch hockey?” This guy looks like golf or hacky sack are more his speed.
“Sunshine watches a lot of hockey, so that means we all watch a lot of hockey,” Lily says.
“When Toronto’s out, I go for Chicago because of Sunshine.” He winks at Sunny. If he wasn’t dating Lily, I’d probably want to punch him in his damn face.
“It’s not like Alex had any choice what city he plays for.” Sunny laughs, but it sounds forced. “Oh! Kale, this is Miller. He plays on the same team as Alex.”
There’s no introduction as her boyfriend. No suggestion that there’s anything going on between us aside from me knowing Alex. I can’t tell if it’s intentional, or she’s nervous.
“Is Alex here this weekend?” Kale stretches up, like he’s trying to see over my shoulder.
“Um, no. Alex isn’t here. He’s at home. Miller’s sister is his fiancée.”
Kale seems even more confused. It makes me wonder if he knows about me. “So, you came to Guelph . . .” He trails off.
“To see Sunny.” I bite back a smile as understanding finally dawns.
Daisy breaks the awkward stare-down. “You don’t have to leave right away, do you? Why don’t you all come in for a visit? I’ll put on some coffee, and herbal tea for you, Lily. Sunny made cinnamon buns!”
“They’re delicious.” Robbie pats his stomach.
“And they’re vegan, of course,” Sunny chimes in.
“I love your buns!” Kale has the nerve to wink at Sunny.
“I’m looking forward to trying one. I’ve only ever eaten Sunny’s cookies.” I adjust the strap of her tank top.