Page 54 of What Happens in Dubai

‘Morning, boss! Good thanks,’ I grinned.

Raj looked up from his screen. ‘Holy shit, Zara, you look phenomenal! What’s the occasion? Oh, wait.’ He started to giggle.

‘Why are you laughing?’

‘It’s because Andy’s coming for the meeting, isn’t it?’ He shook his head, tittering to himself.

‘Andy? Ha,no, no, no.This,’ I pointed to my carefully selected outfit, ‘is all for my handsome, stunning, ripped, bodyguard man, who is flying into Glasgow because he misses me so much.Yes, Raj. Cameron from the plane is coming to town! And we’re almost an item,’ I was boasting, slightly exaggerating my relationship with Cameron to wipe the smirk off Raj’s face.

‘No shit!’ His face fell in disbelief. ‘He’s really coming back for you?’

Ashley tutted. ‘And why wouldn’t he? Fucking look at her, mate!’

I smiled gratefully at my friend and turned back to Raj. ‘Yes, he is. Tonight at five, and he’s staying for a few days!’

‘God, your gaff is filling up fast with all these homeless folk.’ Raj raised his eyebrows at Ashley, who darted an evil stare back.

‘No, Ash is staying with Emily tonight, giving us some alone time,’ I winked. ‘And then she’ll need to crash on my sofa until he heads back to Dubai.’

Raj looked stunned, like he had missed out on so much drama. He stood up and began pacing the clinic floor. ‘So, long term, you think this is going to work?’

Ashley cleared her throat to grab my attention before I responded, and as I glanced over to her, she mouthedPOSITIVE. I couldn’t help but smile.

‘Raj, I know this is going to work. We’re perfect for one another, and Dubai is only a few hours away on a flight. It’s no big deal!’

Right at that moment, the door swung open and Andy burst in.

‘What’s happnin’, troops?’ He was wearing the pale blue Ralph Lauren shirt I loved, as his tattooed sleeve would still be visible through the light-coloured material. I started to twiddle with my hair and pout seductively as much as I could.

‘You OK, Zara?’ he asked, walking by.

I looked curious. ‘Yeah?’

‘Aw, sound. I thought you were ready to sneeze. You bunged up?’

I watched him make his way towards the sofa.

‘Yeah. Oh, oh, achoo.’ I rolled my eyes at the sheer embarrassment of hitting a new low of faking a sneeze because I looked so much like a dick trying to pout.

‘Wow, you bouncin’ doon the dancing tonight, Zara?’ Andy gave me and my overdressed appearance a suspicious look.

‘She’s not bouncing down the dancing, but she will be bouncing!’ Ashley exclaimed, and Raj erupted into laughter.

‘Guys!’ I blushed.

‘Sorry, Andy. Zara met a guy in Dubai, and he’s coming back to Glasgow today to stay with her. Don’t ask her questions. She’s far too much in love at the moment to take straightforward criticism or accept any what ifs,’ Raj said, pushing his hands through his hair and taking a seat again.

‘For god’s sake!’ I could feel my cheeks growing hot as I watched Andy giggle with my friends. ‘It’s nothing serious! Stop it.’

‘Nothing serious? She’s literally just told me how perfect they are together.’ Raj let out an almighty laugh. ‘Ahhh, Zara, you crack me up. Come sit and let’s get this started, eh.’

My hands shook with humiliation as I thumbed through my bag for my notepad, feeling embarrassed that Andy had just witnessed that conversation. I wanted him to take me seriously and understand how professional I’ve been, gathering my research for today. My phone pinged, and I slid my finger across the home screen.

One new message from Cameron.

Good morning baby. Can you talk? I have a confession about something. Ps can’t wait to see you xx

I felt my face drop. I grabbed my phone and sat down on the sofa. Andy went through the sales figures for the month, and then the meeting began. I remained engrossed by my screen, rapidly typing. What the fuck did he have to confess?

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