Page 68 of Game Changer

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Icould have sent a car to pick Zara up, but I want to do it myself. I want to see her as soon as she comes out of that arrivals door. I wait nervously behind the barriers having given enough time for her to have cleared customs and immigration and get her bags. Every time that damn door opens, I jump thinking it might be her. I have had the fleeting thought that she may have changed her mind. I know these thoughts are irrational, but until I see her in front of me, I can’t help them.

The flight has almost emptied, and I’ve watched a few people meeting their loved ones and leave already. I’m starting to think my theory might be right and I’m about to pull out my phone to call her when she emerges from the door. She catches my gaze and stops, staring at me. She tilts her head and smiles at me, then kicks off her shoes, picks them up and starts running towards the open end of the barrier. I do the same and meet her there. She lets go of her bags and shoes and jumps into my arms. I hold her tight to me, never wanting to let her go again.

“Sweetheart I missed you so much.”

“Me too,” she says taking my face in her hands and planting kisses all over.

“Ah young love,” an elderly gentleman remarks as he and his wife pass by us.

We both laugh and watch them walking away hand in hand. I know in my heart that’s how I want us to grow old. Together and in love.

“Let’s get out of here. My car is in the multi storey.” I let her down out of my arms.

“I’m dying to see your house.”

I take one of her bags and she takes the other. We leave the airport hand in hand. We have a lot to talk about, but for now I’m glad she’s here.

A forty-minute drive has us at my Malibu beach house and I park up. We’re busy getting all her things from the car when a familiar voice comes from behind us.

“So you’re already moving her in I see.”

I close my eyes and shake my head. “You have got to be shitting me.” I turn and find Annalise at the end of my driveway, one hand on her hip and the craziest look on her face.

I look at Zara who looks as though she’s seen a ghost. “Buckie,” she whispers, shaking her head.

“It’s okay Zara. I’ll deal with this. What do you want Annalise?”

She looks over her shoulder and it’s only then that I notice a small group of people behind her, a couple with cameras. Fucking paps and journalists. Alright then, if that’s how she wants to play this, then game on.

“You know fine well. How long has this been going on Buckie?” She points between me and Zara.

“About seven years, give or take Annalise. What does it have to do with you anyway? You mean nothing to me. You never have. You’re a colleague, and not a very good one at that.”

“How could you, does this mean nothing to you?” She holds up her hand with the stupid big diamond on it. “You humiliated me on TV and lost me everything.”

“No, you did that to yourself you delusional halfwit.” I gesture to the waiting crowd. “And why are you lot even entertaining this? Don’t you know how nasty she is? No? Want to find out?”

I pull my phone from my pocket. I told Annalise I had this recording when we were on that chat show. I warned her against any more crap, or I would use it. It’s obvious she thought I was bluffing. I open up my files folder and play the voice recording of her admitting what she’s done. I hear Zara gasp from behind me. As do the two journalists.

“How could you?” shouts Annalise and she runs away wailing to a waiting car.

I motion to the small crowd to come closer. “You want a story for your gossip columns since she’s now a has-been? Zara come here sweetheart.”

She puts her bag down and slowly walks towards me.

“This is my… girlfriend?” I ask her.

She nods. “Yes.” She laughs nervously, smiling at me.

“Yes, this is my girlfriend Zara Archer. The nicest, most compassionate soul you’re ever likely to meet and I love her with all my heart.” I turn to Zara and take both her hands. “I saw an elderly couple today, holding hands and obviously still in love after lord knows how many years of being together. I knew right then that that’s how I want to live the rest of my life. Happy and in love with my best friend. I was going to wait till later to do this but why not let the world know now how I feel.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out the little box I stashed in there earlier. Getting down on one knee and taking in Zara’s shocked expression, I take her hand and kiss her knuckles. I hear the clicking of camera shutters and low chattering behind me.

“Buckie,” she whispers.

“Zara Archer, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you be my wife?”

“Like you even need to ask,” she whispers, tears forming in her eyes. “Yes, of course I will.”

I put the ring on her finger and stand up taking her in my arms and dipping her back, kissing her beautiful soft lips. Relishing the fact that she is now my fiancée. The little crowd of people cheer for us, and the photographers take a whole host of photos. After giving a short statement to them all, we politely ask them to leave and head inside.

I open the door and let Zara in first closing the door behind us. She stops and turns to me, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I can’t believe you did that,” she says looking at her finger. “Wow, this is bloody massive.”

I walk towards her and take her by the waist, pulling her into me. “I love you with every bit of me and I wasn’t kidding. I want to grow old and happy with you. Won’t be long until we make the gossip columns for something good for a change. I can’t wait to get out of this place and start a new life with you back in Scotland.”

“I love you Buckie. I don’t care where we are in the world. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. I’d travel the world if it meant being with you.”

Her declaration is all I’ve ever needed to hear, and I know I’m making the right decision for both of our futures.

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