Page 7 of Game Changer

“Yeah yeah, enough. So what are we doing today? I have a room booked at the Hilton for a couple of days until my apartment is ready, but I can check in anytime. The perks of being a VIP and all that.” He laughs and shakes his head. “God it’s nice to be back here. Ever since I left London no one has taken any notice of me, and it’s been nice. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life and I love what I do, but sometimes I’d like to be anonymous for a while. That’s my plan while I’m here.”

“Good, because I’m pretty famous in this city now. I can’t have you stealing my thunder Mr Hollywood. Right let’s go. I have something to show you that I’m sure will surprise you.”

I take his arm and we leave the station together, the old feelings of familiarity rushing back between us. And I swear I want to break down and cry, because I know it’s not going to last.

A short walk from the station has us outside the doors of my beautiful wine bar and restaurant Gemini. It sits on West George Street, right in the heart of the city centre. The side entrance is the only one open at this early hour. My head chef and his staff will be in prepping for lunch already and I haven’t told them I’m coming in this morning. They’ll think I’m checking up on them.

“Is this your place?” Buckie asks as we make our way in and through to the kitchen area.

“Sure is. This and five other places in the city. I’ve built my empire, just like I said I would.”

“God Zar this is amazing. Bloody well done. I’m so damn sorry I didn’t know about all this. And Gemini. The Twins. I like it.”

I walk ahead of him with a big, satisfied smile on my face. I can hear the clatter of pans and some raised voices, a bit of laughter here and there. As we emerge into the prep area everyone turns to look at us.

“Zara hi,” Marcus the head chef says and tips his head to me. “I wasn’t expecting to see you…” He trails off when his eyes land on Buckie. He is pretty hard to miss in all his Hollywood glory. People in Glasgow do not have a tan that natural.

“Marcus this is my best friend, Owen. I’m showing him around.”

“No, I know who he is,” he says, wiping his hand on his towel attached to his apron. He holds out his hand to Buckie. “Very nice to meet you young sir.”

They shake hands and Buckie smiles at me. “Well that was short lived.”

Marcus looks between us questioningly.

“Buckie was saying not five minutes ago that he was looking forward to a bit of anonymity while he’s here. And you went and ruined it.” I wink at him, and he smiles.

“I’m not starstruck or anything. Far from it. I’m just happy I can get one up on Eliza. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve had to sit through this guy’s movies and watch while my wife swoons over him.” Marcus winks at Buckie who erupts in laughter.

“Isn’t this fun. I love this kind of story. Where is the lovely Eliza now?”

“She’ll be at home, still in her pyjamas. She’s a writer, so she picks and chooses when she gets up and if she even wants to get dressed on any particular day.”

Buckie has an evil gleam in his eye. And I can see a plan formulating that may end with my head chef losing an appendage.

“Let’s FaceTime her. Do you have your phone there?”

Marcus lets out an excited squeal and I can’t help but laugh at him.

“Oh my God this is the best day of my life, you have no idea,” Marcus says as he dials his poor unsuspecting wife’s number.

Eliza’s face fills the screen. She has her long brown hair up in a messy bun and she has no make-up on. The bottom of the screen is filled with pink fleece, so Marcus was right, she is in fact still in her PJ’s.

“Hey babe, what’s up?” She says.

“Oh nothing much. I was starting my prep this morning when Zara turned up with a visitor. He wants to say hi.”

Marcus turns the phone so that Buckie is in the frame, and he flashes her his sexy wide smile. I see Eliza’s expression change through a spectrum of emotions and I feel bad for her. She recoils from the screen as the realisation of who she is looking at hits her square on.

“Oh my God. Marcus I am going to fucking kill you. I’m very sorry Mr Buchanan. Please forgive my language.” She looks up at the ceiling muttering to herself. “Kill me. Kill me now.”

“Nice to meet you Eliza.”

“Oh bloody hell you have no idea. Wow, you look even better on my phone than you do in the movies.”

Marcus clears his throat and we all laugh at him.

“Don’t you dare get jealous Marcus you shithead. You’re the one trying to wind me up.”

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