Page 111 of Words We Didn't Say

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He said, “Be brave with me.”

Zach

“John, talk some senseinto him,” Mum said, shoving a tray of raw meat at Dad. Her gaze narrowed on me.

“Mmm?” Dad didn’t look up from fiddling on the knobs of the barbecue. “What’s he done this time?”

“He hasn’taskedher yet.”

“Ma,” I warned, hiding a smile behind the top of my beer.

“Don’t you ‘Ma’ me, Zachary.” Mum swatted me on the shoulder with a purple and white chequered tea towel. “A girl like Eden is one in a million. If you don’t snap her up and propose, someone else will!”

My gaze drifted across the deck. Laughter bubbled from the group crowding the oversized table crammed with too many chairs. Eden, Andie, and Yvette gossiped away, sipping champagne—well, not Andie. A beer sat in front of her. Some of Mum and Dad’s friends were there, and a neighbour or two. Iwasn’t paying attention to the satellites orbiting the edges of my universe. My eyes always gravitated to the sun in the middle.

Eden.

She noticed me and blew a kiss across the deck. I pretended to catch it and smack it on my cheek. Even brighter laughter fluttered in the air.

What the hell did I do to deserve her?

“I think I’m okay, Ma.” Better than okay. Better than ever.

“Oh, do you just?” Mum snipped. “Should I remind you about a certain rugby player…hmm?”

Dad chuckled. It did him no favours. Mum’s glare shifted to him.

“Well?” she huffed.

One of Dad’s brows went up, but he smiled it away and went back to the barbecue. “Zach, have you showed Eden the new kayaks we bought for our trip next weekend?”

Mum snorted. “No one wants to see your stupid kayaks! Especially not a classy girl like Eden. Did you notice the new heels she has on?” Mum leant over and whispered, “Designer.”

“Those kayaks are designer,” Dad said. “Real showstoppers—”

“Stop distracting him!” Mum cried. “Zach needs to plan his proposal. Something special.Memorable.”

“Memorable, eh?” A smirk played on Dad’s lips. “Zach, maybe you should propose to Eden the way I asked your mother.”

Mum’s face burned redder than a fire truck. “Absolutely not.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Not like the second time.” Dad’s voice was low as he grabbed Mum around the waist, pecking her cheek. “Thefirstproposal.”

“John!” Mum hissed.

“This is news to me.” I shot a confused look at the two of them. “You proposed twice? I thought you asked Mum after driving down to Mollymook. You asked her on the beach at sunset, right?”

“That was thesecondproposal.” Dad grinned. “Or was it technically the fifth?”

“John,” Mum warned.

I took another sip of beer, interest piqued. “What is this highly secretive first proposal?” I was happy for any inspiration at this point. “Dad?”

Mum’s glare stayed on Dad. “Don’t you dare!”

He smirked. “I asked her duringcuddles—”

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