Page 83 of What Happens in Dubai

I shrugged. ‘I was honest. I suggested completely different treatments than what they came in expecting. Maybe it will work.’ But suddenly I was feeling less optimistic.

When his consultation with Lisa was over, Tom led the three girls back to the waiting area. They sat on the couch, and I joined Tom, standing in front of them. ‘OK, ladies, who would you like for your treatment today?’ he asked. He stood tall, confident as ever, crossing his arms and looking arrogant with his efforts.

Lisa smiled. ‘Zara for me please. Sorry, Tom!’

Rheanne hid her face sheepishly. ‘Zara for me too!’

My heart burst open with pride as I faced Ebony, hoping for a full house.

‘Oh, Tommy, Thomas, of course, I would pick you. Always.’ Ebony’s eyes were mentally undressing him, and I felt incredibly uncomfortable being part of their moment.

‘Thanks, girls, all of you. Now we’ll get you through for your treatments.’

I walked proudly with my majority win trailing close behind, but I couldn’t help observing Tom flirting ferociously across the room. Every now and then, he’d catch me staring, and his body stiffened, but as soon as I turned my back, he was all over Ebony again. The cunt hadn’t changed one bit! He was entirely incapable of being professional.

The girls seemed satisfied with our new consultation twist, and delighted with the results of their treatments. Before they left, Ashley also unboxed the Polaroid camera, and the girls gave us great contributions to add to the selfie wall.

Later on that night, Ashley and I were rearranging the furniture in anticipation of the painters coming. Tom came bursting out of his treatment room, staring at his phone, looking rushed.

‘Lift home?’ he asked.

I shook my head. ‘No thanks.’

Ashley looked confused, knowing how anxious I’d been walking anywhere in the dark.

‘You sure? I don’t want you girls walking alone,’ he said.

‘I need to wait on the painters. We’re big enough and certainly ugly enough to walk home. Just … go enjoy your plans or whatever,’ I shrugged.

Tom laughed loudly. ‘Enjoy my plans? Why do I get the impression I’ve done something wicked, Zara?’ He glanced at his watch, then slipped his phone into his jeans pocket and approached the pile of furniture we had accumulated in the centre of the room.

‘No reason,’ I shrugged but continued to avoid eye contact.

‘We did great work today. I think we should be proud of it. Tomorrow will be an exciting day, too.’ Tom reached for my chin, making it impossible not to look right at him.

I felt my body stiffen, trying to cut the moment short.

‘Sure will. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

He hesitated at the front door for a second, and then left. As soon as he was gone, Ashley leapt over towards me.

‘What was the tension all about there?’ she asked.

‘Him, he’s so sleazy, fucking hands all over the clients, flirting – it’s inappropriate,’ I huffed.

‘Is that all? God, Zara, that’s what he does. It’s what he always does.’

‘Well, maybe I don’t like it when I’m in charge.’

‘You sound jealous, babe! I mean, I get it. You guys have history, and a stunning woman is putting it on him. Of course you’ll be ragin’.’

‘She wasn’t all that stunning, Ash.’ It was all I could reply.

We looked at each other and burst into laughter.

‘Oh, God, why am I jealous? I don’t even want to be with him. Half the time, I want to punch his cheesy big face off, but I just don’t want to see him flaunting his sex life in the middle of the workplace.’

Ashley laughed at my petty excuse. ‘Aye, well, think how I felt with you two!’

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