The Sun in My Eyes

53 Under the Exit Lights as Beautiful as Ever

Lili's a wreck, Bobby's an uncle, and Maitland's a fucking treasure. That's it. That's all I'm telling ya.

***

Bobby kissed Lili again and again. Tender sweeps of his mouth on hers, delicate and warm. It wasn't possible to feel any happier than he did at that moment.

He wanted to kiss her forever, but everyone was waiting for them, so he pulled away and sighed contentedly into her curls. She leaned into him, trailing tiny kisses along the underside of his jaw and down to his pulse. It was sweeter than any cupcake he'd ever made.

After a moment, she stepped back, her eyes soft and dreamy as she squeezed his hand. "We'd better go."

Taking deep breaths, they untangled their fingers and made their way back to the living room. Bobby's head was full of clouds and rainbows. Joy made every step feel like he was walking in a bouncy castle.

"There they are," Louis said. He stared at Lili, his brows drawn together. "Lili, are you–"

"I'm alright." She gave him a half-smile and sat on the couch. "Sorry for the dramatic exit. What are we watching?"

Before Louis could respond, the balcony door flew open. Just as Bobby predicted, Dean, Nivaan, and Samantha burst in, soaked to the skin, high as fuck, and giggling like teenagers. They all flopped down on the second sofa. Dean claimed most of the space, leaving the other two squashed together. Still laughing at nothing, Samantha searched the space blearily. "Oi! Where's Fen gone?"

The chatter came to a halt. After the clock ticked far too many seconds, Maitland broke the silence. "Kombucha. She was aff her fuckin' head and decided to go home."

"Aww, I've been there," Samantha said."Wish she'd said goodbye."

The fluffy clouds in Bobby's head darkened. So much happened with Lili that he'd nearly forgotten about Fenella. Would he regret tossing out not only a ten-year friendship, but his business venture with the shop as well? He leaned back on the sofa. If he were honest with himself, the bakery had been more of a struggle than an overwhelming success, thanks to Fen's erratic management and repeated runners. And even without all that, she'd been a rubbish friend, using him, and then making him feel bad for being upset about it.

No. He took a deep, cleansing breath. He wouldn't regret losing the bakery or their friendship. She'd gone unchecked for too long, doing whatever she felt. Treating him like he didn't matter at all. He did matter, and he should have told her off a long time ago.

Lili had been right all along. He deserved better.

Smiling, he peeked at Lili, but she seemed somewhere else, staring down and kneading her hands anxiously. He bumped his shoulder against hers. When she looked up, the churning eddies of her eyes swirled with questions and worries and want. God, he wanted to dive into that dark vortex and answer every question. Soothe every worry. Satiate every want. And he would. Soon. For the moment though, all he could do was gently pull her worrying hands apart and run his fingers over her soft knuckles before releasing them.

Nivaan yawned loudly. "So what's the film about?"

"Oh um..." Louis's gaze skated over Bobby. "It's called, Sylvie's Love. It's sort of a romantic movie. Eventually."

Jonno rolled his eyes and burped for an exceedingly long time. "And on that note, I'm leavin'. I don't watch weepies." He poked at his phone. "Got a ride coming. Don't start that shite till I'm gone."

"You're no fun." Louis pouted and dropped onto Dean's lap, pressing his head to the big man's neck. Dean hugged him tightly and kissed his temple.

Bobby's heart, still a flurry of bright colour, ached with a joyful yearning. Dean and Louis were always so sweet together, always touching and snuggling. Would that be him and Lili soon? Openly kissing and cuddling and not caring what anyone thought? It gave those leaves in his chest another twirl.