Page 70 of What Happens in Dubai

I opened the front door to the warm smell of lasagne cooking in the oven. In the kitchen, Cameron was chopping a cucumber in between sips of red wine.

‘Hello, gorgeous! How was your day?’ he greeted me from across the room, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

‘Not great,’ I replied, slipping off my shoes at the doorway.

Cameron stuck out his bottom lip sympathetically. ‘Well, dinner will be ready in twenty. No Ash?’ he asked, looking relieved.

I shook my head, coming into the kitchen.

‘How do you know Laura Rinaldi?’

Just like that, I blurted it out.

Cameron was mid-sip of his Merlot and choked slightly at the question. He attempted to compose himself, but it was too late – his face had already turned white.

‘Who?’ he replied.

‘Don’t “Who?” me – I know everything. Laura is one of my regular clients and you could imagine my surprise today when she started showing me pictures of her amazing boyfriend, and saying how loved up you all are. I just don’t understand why, or what the hell this big nice guy act is to you?’

Cameron’s head bowed for a few silent seconds and then he came towards me.

‘I’m sorry. I’m so bloody sorry. Yes,I’ve seen Laura since my marriage ended but not since me and you got together. I wouldn’t do that to you, Zara. Please, please, believe me.’

I shook my head. ‘You’ve been messaging her when I’ve been going to work? Yeah?’

He froze, not knowing how to respond.

‘She thinks you’re in Baghdad, and you’re swarming aboot Braehead!’

He sighed.

‘Don’t just sigh, Cameron, fucking speak up! Why does she think you’re in Baghdad? And why can’t she speak to you?’

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘I didn’t want her FaceTiming me when I just had my hair done.’

I exploded into laughter. ‘You didn’t wantherto see you like that? Yet you flew across Europe thinking aw, Zara will put up with the face?Why?Because I’m a downgrade.Is that why?’ Blood rushed to my face as my anger grew.

‘That’s not it, at all. On that plane, we instantly connected. I wanted to see you,’ he said.

‘But you weren’t honest. You continued messaging Laura every fucking day!’

Cameron agreed, acknowledging his blunder. ‘But I didn’t see her.’

‘Aye, because you were too embarrassed about the size of your fucking face! I had to put up with the Elephant Man while she gets the hot hero apparently fighting for his country! I’ve had enough of men fucking lying to me. Pack your shit and go!’

But Cameron made no move to leave.

‘I know I shouldn’t have messaged her, but I didn’t see or touch any women when I was with you, Zara.’ As he spoke, his eyes filled with tears.

‘But you kept your options open, and I don’t deserve that. So, Cameron, I need you to leave now, please.’

‘Is that what you want? To throw this away?’ he whispered.

I sneered at him.

‘Youhave done that, not me. Just leave before Ashley gets back. I’m over this conversation.’ I turned my back and began shouting once more as the questions flooded my brain, ‘So, what was your plan? Lead both of us on until what?’

‘We were going to Dubai together.Youare my plan, Zara!’

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