Episode 7406

Extended Summary

Mackenzie sees Dean outside the surf club hosing down boards and, after steeling herself, approaches and tells him she’s moving because her lease is up. Dean asks where to and she admits it’s Ari’s. Dean isn’t impressed, thinking she still has the hots for Tane, but Mackenzie denies it. She asks him if Ziggy’s moved back in, telling him to focus on his own living situation before worrying about hers. Back at the Morgan house, Justin is fretting about Ava’s visit. Tori admits she told Nina about Justin’s condition but she promised not to tell Ava. Justin points out that that means she’s leaving it to him. Leah comes back from putting Grace down. Justin doesn’t want to tell Ava when he hasn’t got his head around it himself. Leah suggests he might not need to tell her but Tori protests that he can’t lie. Justin doesn’t want to cancel the visit because it’ll make Ava worried: He says his only options are lying or breaking Ava’s heart.

Nikau arrives home and Tane teasingly says he thought he’d run away again. Nikau notices the cases. Ari enters and says they’re Mac’s, before taking them away. Tane tells Nikau that Mackenzie didn’t have anywhere else to go but Nikau thinks she should have gone to a motel. Ari returns and Tane leaves. Nikau says it’ll be strange having someone there that’s not family but Ari thinks they’ll make it work. At the surf club, Dean ends up calling Ziggy at the garage. They admit they miss each other and Dean wonders if she has plans for dinner. They agree to have a meal together and Ziggy says she’ll meet Dean at his. After the call has ended, she adds that she loves him.

Tane arrives for work at Salt and Mackenzie asks for his help moving a delivery. She checks he’s okay with her moving in. Tane says he is but asks how long it’s likely to be and seems uncomfortable when she suggests it could be quite a while. Meanwhile, Ziggy meets Dean at the Diner flat. Neither of them seem quite sure how to act. Dean suggests they stay there and get a pizza, nodding towards the bedroom, but Ziggy says they shouldn’t complicate things and should go out for a meal as planned.

Soon after, Mackenzie has Dean and Ziggy settled at a table on the balcony at Salt. She makes a brief attempt at small talk before Dean sends her to get drinks. Dean and Ziggy chat about their work and Dean says he hasn’t seen Jai since last week but shows her a photo he was sent of Jai after coming first in a race at sports day. They start kissing; Mackenzie tells Tane to take their drinks over and try and get a food order, since she wants to leave early. Tane suggests she goes now, saying he can close up. Back at the Parata house, Nikau teases Ari about having champagne in the fridge and scented candles, reminding him he teased him over making Bella soup. He is pulled up though when he realises how serious Ari is. Mackenzie arrives with a pizza. Nikau takes it from her and says Ari has a surprise for her. Ari leads Mackenzie into the bathroom, where he has set up the candles.

Leah gets into bed with Justin and tells him that he doesn’t have to tell Ava right away but it might be good for him to see her. At Salt, Tane is calling last drinks. Dean tries to get Ziggy to come home with him but Ziggy reiterates that she needs space and kisses him good night. Dean and Tane take a few moments to ruminate on women.

Mackenzie is now relaxing in a bubble bath surrounded by candles. Ari brings her a glass of champagne and Mackenzie notes it’s the nicest thing anyone has done for her. He heads out and a few moments later Tane comes in. Both he and Mackenzie are aghast when they realise what’s going on; Tane quickly hurries out and Mackenzie covers herself up. A short time later, Mackenzie joins Tane in the living area wearing a robe. Ari and Nikau come through from the back and Mackenzie downplays the incident. Ari and Mackenzie head off to bed. Tane goes out, telling Nikau he’ll see him in the morning.

Next morning, Justin and Leah are finishing phone calls making arrangements with Ziggy and Irene to cover at work. Tori appears with Grace and they explain they’re going to the city to see Ava. Justin still isn’t sure if he’ll tell her what’s going on. At Salt, Dean is telling Mackenzie he’s worried that Ziggy moving out will become permanent. He doesn’t want to put pressure on her but Mackenzie suggests it’s all right to tell her what he wants.

Tane arrives home with a lock for the bathroom door. Nikau tries to ask him where he was and doesn’t think Tane can keep going out when Ari and Mackenzie are there. He suggests Tane talk to Ari but Tane says Ari’s happy and they’re getting along: He doesn’t want that to change. Meanwhile, Dean goes to the garage. Ziggy protests she has to get a job done. Dean says he wants her living with him and Jai in his life, asking how they can make that happen.

Mackenzie arrives back at the Paratas’ and asks Tane if he has a problem with her being there. Tane insists again that he doesn’t but Mackenzie says he needs to be honest with her. Tane grabs her and kisses her…in his head. In reality, he tells her that she doesn’t want him to be straight with her.