Page 59 of What Happens in Dubai

‘Hey, come on up, Ash. Door’s open!’ I said in my friendliest voice. Usually, we would greet each other with grunts or funny insults, but I wanted to be on my best behaviour in front of my new bae.

I quickly felt apprehensive. This was a big moment, my best friend meeting my kind-of-boyfriend properly. I heard her footsteps echo up the close, and opened the door to her cheesiest grin.

‘Hiiiiiii, I have tried calling you a million times! I know, I know, you would have been busy, but …’ She hugged me carelessly, then pushed by to get to Cameron. ‘AAAARHHHGHH!!! Jesus! WHAT THE FUCK has happened to you?’ Ashley screamed.

Shit, shit,I hadn’t told her about the hair transplant.

I tried to make a face to Ashley but she was too busy staring in amusement.

‘Hi, everyone.’ I felt a tap on the shoulder, and was surprised to see my sister holding Ashley’s case. Ashley’s mouth was still wide, gawking at Cameron, who looked completely flustered.

‘Emily, this is Cameron. Cameron, this is my sister,’ I smiled.

Emily went over and shook his hand. ‘Oh, ouch. Sorry, it’s so lovely to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.’

Cameron laughed. ‘Aye, you too. Lovely to meet you, and you again, Ashley. Hey, listen, why don’t I go out and get some fresh air, let you girls catch up. I haven’t looked at my phone all day, and no doubt my boss will be wondering why I haven’t checked in.’ His voice was genuine, and he kissed my forehead and grabbed his zipper from the bedroom.

‘See you soon,’ I said, my eyes trailing after him as he winked and left the flat.

As soon as the door shut, Ashley opened her mouth again.

‘Right, what the fuck happened to him? Did he get a beating? A Glasgow kiss?’ She looked traumatised, holding her hand to her chest dramatically.

I shook my head and sat down.

‘Remember we thought he was away getting his teeth done?’

Ashley laughed sarcastically. ‘No, no,Icalled that one, Zara. You thought,’ she cleared her throat and put on a snooty voice, ‘he was cultured.’

Emily rolled her eyes at us both and joined me on the sofa.

‘Well, it turns out he got a hair transplant. It was so bad, guys. I didn’t even recognise him when he came up to me at the airport! God, Ash, I can’t believe you shouted that when you walked in.’ I burst into guilty laughter.

Emily covered her face. ‘Ashley, you’re terrible and Zara, ouch! That’s such a shame! Did he need one?’

I tried my hardest to think back to the handsome man from the plane and shook my head. ‘I don’t think so. Maybe he was thinning a little, but honestly not bad.’

Ashley burst out laughing. ‘Thinning? A little? His hairline was back further than Christmas. How did you not notice that? I don’t think it’s a bad thing; I respect that. I mean, yes, bad timing for you, clearly. But this time next month, that cunt will be cutting about with more hair than Jesus.’

Emily and I buckled with laughter.

‘So, what have you been doing? Have you pumped him?’ Ashley seemed to be doing overtime with interrogations.

‘Yes, we have. Practically straight away!’ I answered proudly.

Emily’s face twinged, not wanting to hear about her baby sister’s bedroom antics, but I continued anyway.

‘It was nice.’

Emily and Ashley exchanged a glance. ‘Nice?’ they said together.

I huffed a little and nodded.

Ashley rubbed my shoulders. ‘Tell us. Why wasn’t it amazing? Do you not like him as much now he’s actually here? Do you wish he had a bit of that swelling downstairs? Is that it?’ She chuckled, and I slapped her arm.

‘No, he’s completely perfect. Honestly, so sweet, caring and kind, and I think he likes me too. But he’s really shy during sex, like, he doesn’t even look at me, and totally silent. Not a word is spoken. It feels a bit awkward. But maybe I’m overthinking it all.’

Emily made a face to Ashley, which I caught.

---