Page 91 of Words We Didn't Say

A long laugh trilled from the hall. “Sorry. I didn’t realise you two were, um—” Another nervous laugh. “I’ve bought a few little things to nibble on.” Mum breezed into the living room with an overstuffed charcuterie board. “Your father’s bringing some wine.” She bent closer to whisper as she passed, “From thefancysection.”

“Geez, Ma, no one’s going to need dinner after all this.”

She glared at me and slid her wooden board neatly into place on the coffee table. She perched on the sofa and patted the spot beside her when Dad lumbered in with an open bottle of red and a handful of glasses.

Once the drinks were poured and shared, Mum asked, “Shall we toast? John?”

Eden grinned and held her glass the highest.

“May we be loved by those we love,” Dad said.

The glass trembled in Eden’s hand, but she was the first to lean over and clink with everyone.

“Oh!” she cried. “We can’t forget the gifts!”

She set down her wine, panicking when a drop sloshed on the glass coffee table, frantically scrubbing the spot clean before snatching a present to pass to Mum.

“Such pretty wrapping.” Mum positively beamed as she tugged off the ribbon and carefully nipped open the paper. “Oh.” She pressed a hand over her mouth. “Oh, honey, this is too much.” Loving fingertips hovered over the designer purse inside.

“Every woman needs her signature accessory.” Words Eden lived by, but her voice wavered, nervous. “Zach said your favourite colour’s purple.”

“Oh. It’s—I just—oh, honey, I love it!” Eyes brimming with tears, Mum launched from the sofa to capture Eden in a fierce hug. “John.” She flapped a hand at Dad as she shimmied in next to Eden. “Open yours.”

Dad dropped a suspicious look at the present resting in his lap.

Eden laughed. “Ipromiseit’s not a purse.”

One of Dad’s lopsided smiles flashed, and he tore off the paper and flipped the lid to the box. His thick brows shot up. “Tickets to the final?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh, um…”

Eden didn’t know his subtle signs yet, and the longer he tried to process receiving such a nice gift, the more she chewed on her lip. “Front row seats!” She hyped it up even though she had no idea why it was so special. “My friend Sam arranged everything.”

Mum sniffed. “Friend.”

“Ma,” I warned.

“Zachary, do I need to remind you about thebaguette?”She skewered me with a glare.

Eden burst out laughing.

Mum’s eyes darted between us.

“Eden saw the message,” I explained. “She knows what you mean when you refer to thebaguette.”

Eden patted Mum’s knee. “Sam’sdefinitelyjust a friend,” she reassured her. “I’m also happy to report there was never any, um…baking.”

Frowning, Dad glanced at all of us, uneasy. “What on earth are you lot talking about?”

It had been a long time since so much laughter filled my parents’ living room.

24

He said, “Since you asked so sweetly.”

Zach

I was already awakewhen the rest of the city stirred in a torrent of rain. Only a sliver of daylight sliced through the storm clouds and the open curtains into the bedroom. Perfect weather for sleeping in.

I blinked at the nightstand. The clock was fuzzy without my glasses, but when I squinted, I could just make out the numbers.

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