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‘Don’t get me started.’ Chris uncrossed his legs and then crossed them again. ‘That man has no place in this family.’
Join the club, Matt wanted to say. It wasn’t like the rest of them were welcome either.
Zac tried again. ‘Apart from the age gap, do you have any other objections to Megan?’ He looked at his uncle Will, who raised his hands, and said, ‘Don’t ask me. I haven’t got a problem with her.’
Gemma glared at her brother. ‘Don’t take his side.’
‘I’m not taking anyone’s side.’ Will took a long swig of his wine. ‘I’m just saying, I’ve always liked Megan.’
Gemma’s glare intensified.
‘Thanks, Uncle Will. It’s nice to know someone approves.’ Zac gave his parents a pointed look. ‘Megan’s an amazing woman. She’s loyal, kind, talented—’
‘You haven’t even lived together,’ Gemma said, cutting him off. ‘You have a romanticised view of love. Cohabitation is about compromise and money issues and fixing a broken tap. It’s not all hearts and roses. Once the honeymoon period is over, reality hits home. It’s not a fairy-tale ending.’
Zac looked incredulous. ‘Jesus, Mum. I’m twenty-three, not thirteen. You think I don’t know that?’
‘Lust can make men do crazy things.’ Gemma fanned her face, looking uncharacteristically flustered.
Zac glared at his mum. ‘What the hell?’
They were now onto the topic of sex? Matt took another swig of beer, wishing he’d caught the bus here because he had a feeling one drink wasn’t going to be enough.
‘Men sometimes get confused,’ Gemma said, sounding like a 1950s marriage guidance counsellor. ‘They interpret lust as love. It’s easily done. Especially if you’re inexperienced.’
Matt choked on his beer.
Everyone turned to stare at him.
He reached for a napkin. ‘Pardon me. Went down the wrong hole.’ He was pretty sure Zac was anything but inexperienced, and that became increasingly obvious when he saw the embarrassed look on his face.
‘By the time you realise, it’s too late,’ Gemma continued, oblivious to her son’s anguish. ‘The damage is done and you’re stuck with a mortgage and a kid, and regretting your life.’
Was that her own experience she was referring to?
‘How naive d’you think I am?’ Zac raked his hands through his hair.
‘Extremely,’ Chris said. ‘Otherwise you wouldn’t be considering marriage.’
‘Wow, thanks, Dad.’ Zac stood up, sending the garden chair toppling over behind him. ‘I’m about to marry the woman of my dreams and this is the response I get? I’m a naive romantic fool, who’s acting on impulse and who can’t tell the difference between love and lust? Not to mention throwing away his career? Have I missed anything?’ He looked at the group. ‘Anything else you’d like to throw at me?’
No one replied – they knew better. Zac was at boiling point.
Every instinct that Matt had urged him to keep quiet, shut his mouth and avoid getting in the firing line. But he had to step in, he couldn’t let the lad suffer any more than he was.
‘Can I say something?’
All eyes turned to him.
Chris rolled his eyes. ‘Oh, this I’ve got to hear. What pearls of wisdom is my half-brother about to unleash? A thirty-two-year-old man who’s never been married, who’s had numerous failed relationships and who doesn’t have any kids. The ultimate oracle of marital knowledge. Do enlighten us…?’
Heat crept up Matt’s neck. There’d been numerous times over the years when he’d been tempted to thump his half-brother, and now was another such occasion. But it wouldn’t help his nephew.
He swallowed back his annoyance. ‘You’ve pointed out why this marriage might not work and therefore isn’t a good idea, but Zac and Megan have a lot going for them, too. There are as many reasons why this relationship will work, as won’t.’
Chris lifted an eyebrow. ‘Name one?’
Matt tried to remain calm. ‘Well, for a start, they love each other.’
