It’s sometimes hard to find non-pork breakfast options, which we need since we’re Muslim. But I don’t think the fact that this chain restaurant has turkey bacon means that the area is getting “better.” I mean, there areplentyof vegetarian and vegan places around here. Hell, there’s a halal Chinese hole-in-the-wall spot in Chinatown East that has the best vegetarian mapo tofu in the world.
But Noureen would never set foot in a place like that. I look at Dive’s menu. The only vegetarian selections are sweet. Pancakes, waffles, and French toast. No wait, the French toast comes with meat on the side.
After I order blueberry pancakes and a green tea, Dad and Noureen start with the usual questions. How’s school going? Am I still set on the digital arts program, or am I considering transferring to a “normal” university? How are my final grades? They don’t ask how Mom is, how my prom went, or how my job at Cosmic is going. They do ask again if I want to work in Dad’s office over the summer. I don’t understand why we have to do this every twoweeks. We could easily cut and paste this conversation into an automated email.
“Have you thought again about living with us in September?” Dad asks. I cringe, thankfully hidden behind the server as they set our plates down. Dad and Noureenoohandahhover the turkey sausage hash and salmon omelet they ordered, before Dad casts an expectant look back to me.
I shake my head, steeling myself. “I want to stay on Love Street. Mom may need me at the flower shop, and it’s so much closer to school.”
Noureen gives me herI’m judging youface. “Your mother takes advantage of you—making you work in her store for free. You cannot work there and at the thrift store when you start college. You need to keep your priorities straight.”
I don’t even bother correcting her that it’s avintagestore, not a thrift store. “Ihavemy priorities straight. I would think you’d agree that helping family is a good thing to prioritize.” I take a bite of my pancakes. And… they’re dry. They look way better than they taste. Typical for these brunches.
Dad sighs. “Sana, we’re only trying to help. You’re always so combative when we talk.”
I don’t say anything to that, mostly because I agree with him. Sometimes I feel like a completely different person when I’m with Dad and Noureen. Honestly, it’s not a person I like much. I take a breath, mentally preparing myself to smile and attempt an apology.
“You have to understand that we have more experience in the world,” Dad continues. “We’re trying to use that experience to lighten your load—”
“Sarina! You made it!” Noureen says, interrupting my father.
I turn, and yes, it’s Sarina. She looks effortlessly gorgeous, of course. She’s in wide white jeans and a flowered button-up shirt. She’s freakingglowing. And not limping at all.
“Hey, yeah, sorry I’m late,” Sarina says as she sits next to me. “I spent the night at a friend’s in the city since we had book club last night. Hey, Sana! You look amazing!”
I’m in jeans and a nineties Dad sweater. I definitely don’t look my best. Sarina starts telling her mother all about her friend’s get-together in the city the night before. She seems… much more animated than usual. Where is my serene stepsister?
She’s being so nice that I feel kind of bad that we haven’t talked since I texted her the morning after that day at High Park. I was so jealous of her and Miles then, even though I was the one who set them up. And up until yesterday, I’d wondered if maybe they were… maybe not dating, but at leasttalkingsince their shared car back to Vaughan. But Miles kissing me last night kind of squashed that theory. “How’s your foot?” I ask.
“Oh, it’s perfect,” she says. “Hurt for a few days, then was fine. Thanks to Cara for telling me to ice it right away. I have to thank you again for inviting me to High Park. Even if I got hurt, it was so great to hang out with you all.”
Maybe it’s because she mentioned Cara, but I suddenly realize that I’ve seen that floral shirt she’s wearing. It’s from Cosmic. Or, we had one just like it there, at least. I’d almost bought it myself because the flowers looked like cherry blossoms, but since I already had a cherry blossomdress, I decided not to. She must have bought it that day Cara was helping her.
With Sarina here, the topic of why I won’t move in with them is dropped. Instead, they talk about the economics summer class Sarina’s taking, and I take that as my cue to tune them out. But eventually the conversation comes back to our trip to High Park last weekend.
“Sana’s friends are so cool,” Sarina tells her mom. “Ajit and Julie are the sweetest! They own this cute little café that’s gone viral on Instagram. And, Sana, you were totally right—Miles is amazing! He’s so smart!”
I smile. “Yeah, Miles is great.”
Dad nods. “It’s a shame he couldn’t come to dinner on Friday. We must reschedule.” Sarina nods in agreement, like she knows exactly what he’s talking about
Wait, what? Miles was supposed to go to my dad’s for dinner? He never mentioned that… He did say that he originally had plans on prom night, but he didn’t say those plans were to go to myfather’s house. Why wouldn’t he tell me that?
There must be a good reason Miles didn’t tell me. I’m about to ask Sarina why Miles was joining them for dinner when she gets a text. She looks at her phone with a small smile.
“Good news?” Noureen asks.
“Yeah, just some plans for tonight coming together.” Still smiling, she types something, then puts her phone face down. After a few seconds, another text comes, her phone vibrating loudly. I know it’s petty, but I want to ask why she’s allowed to text at the brunch table when I’m not. Noureen doesn’t even want me to have my phone placed on the table.
I’m about to let my pettiness win out and say somethingwhen I get a glimpse of Sarina’s phone and clearly see the name of the person texting her. My stomach drops.
It’s Miles.
Miles: I still have the address. Reservation is for seven, right?
Sarina has a date withMilestonight. My Miles. The guy who said he couldn’t see me tonight because he had plans. And what’s worse, Sarina has already invited him to meet her family.
Because why would he want me, the naive romantic who disagrees with him at every turn, when he could have perfect Sarina?
