Page 6 of The Secret
“Don’t say anything to him! I don’t want him to think …”
“I won’t,” I say, crossing my fingers behind my back. I’m the poke-your-nose-in interfering kind of sister: thebestkind.
“Love you, sis,” she says, and I raise my eyebrows as warmth hits my chest.
“David!” She calls as she moves away from the phone. “It’s Liss! She wants to say hello!”
My mom’s voice starts up in the background followed by David’s, seconds before his deep tones fill the line.
“Hey, Liss, Lauren just told me you’re heading off to Africa again.”
I smile as I walk across the carpet in the lounge to peer out of the window. “Yes! And I’m getting paid this time, so as you can imagine, I’m thrilled.”
He laughs as I tell him excitedly about the job, and he gives me none of the familiar judgment I endure from everyone else: He’s genuinely pleased for me.
“Anyway, enough about me. How are things with Lauren?”
“What?” There’s a pause. “Did she say something to you?”
Wow, okay. That was quite defensive for David.Something’s up. I hum to myself as I stare out of the window. Would he confide in me? God knows he won’t talk to anyone else in this car crash of a family.
“She told me about the incredible camping trip you took her on.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, that took a bit of planning.”
“It sounded lovely.”
“It was,” he says, on a long, controlled release of breath. “Why are you asking me about it?”
“She talked about how romantic it was, that’s all. You two have been together for five years. I was curious.”
There’s silence and a shuffling noise and then the sound of a door being closed.
“Whyare you bringing this up?” His voice drops to a low growl.
I’m not going to betray my sister’s confidences. I don’t trust guys enough for that, even sweet ones like David.
“I wondered whether you were planning to propose. Are you thinking about it?” I hold my breath. Have I stepped out too far? Don’t break the silence, Liss, don’t let him off the hook.
He groans. “She mentioned it, didn’t she?”
“David …”
“Shit. She did.Goddammit.”
“Talk to me.”
Another prolonged pause, and he clears his throat. “I don’t want to …”
“David.”
“Alright.Alright. Mrs. Pushy Boots. I’ve been considering it for a while, okay? We went on this camping trip, and I worked hard to make it special. I got a ring. The whole works. I wanted to do it right. But despite being all geared up, I lost my nerve and I don’t know …” He emits a gusty sigh.
“What don’t you know?” This is like treading on eggshells.
His breath huffs down the line.Goddamn it, David.
“She’s this unbelievable person, Liss. Super smart, incredibly kind. Why would she say yes to me? I’m a programmer. What do I have to offer her? She’s like this bright, bright star.”
