Page 105 of What Happens in Dubai

‘Oh, apologies, I’m interrupting,’ he said, noticing the intense atmosphere.

I stood up. ‘Not at all.’ I looked awkwardly between Tom and Andy, wondering how much of the conversation Tom had overheard.

‘We were … er … just chatting. You sorted?’ I asked.

‘Yes, absolutely, all done I think.’ Tom glanced to Andy. ‘I was signing the contract – I officially start tomorrow.’

I hesitated, not knowing what to do. ‘I’ll have to look over that briefly – excuse me one second, guys.’

‘Right now?’ Tom asked.

‘I just need one minute.’ I stood up and marched through to the staff room, and shut the door behind the two men. I could feel myself trying hard not to hyperventilate. My hands were sweating but cold as I heard the faint chatter of my two men behind me. What the fuck was going on? I felt my chest pounding every step of the way.

OK, get it together, Zara.

I plopped my two hands on the table in a bid to calm my breathing down and then noticed the contract sitting there, signed. Beside it were two glasses of champagne and a candy string bikini with a note.

‘It’s challenging to find anything as sweet as you – but I’m willing to try! T’

What the fuck did that mean? Try what? I wondered. Try the sweets? Try a relationship? I thought back to the last time I wore candy underwear for Tom, and I wasn’t sure if he was trying to give me PTSD, a yeast infection or if this was a last-gasp attempt to redeem himself.

There was no getting away from any of this. Or from either of them.

I had a decision to make, and I was conscious of my time to make it.

I knew I had to do something.

I heard the sound of my nervous toes tap off the tiled floor.

‘Tom,’ I called out, covering my face, still swaying on what to do.

Tom opened the door and raised his shoulders. He seemed unusually unnerved. He waited till the door completely closed before speaking.

‘What are you thinking?’ His voice was soft and uneasy.

I shut my eyes briefly and whispered, ‘I’m thinking this, like us, was never going to work from the get-go. Too much has happened. And honestly, I don’t want to risk you not being part of my life anymore. I need you here, for my business and for me.’ I could feel my eyes fill, hoping he understood.

‘And Andy?’ he replied.

I shrugged, waited a few seconds and said, ‘What if he’s my good geezer, Tom?’

He slowly walked towards me, kissed my head and let out a small defeated puff.

‘Yes, he could very well be, Zara. I suppose you will never know until you try.’

We paused in one another’s arms briefly. I could hear his heart beat against his warm chest. My face settled into his body, and there was part of me wanting to hold on to this moment for as long as I could. My eyes were shut tightly, realising everything was about to change.

‘Well, I suppose I’d better go. Let you two enjoy the champagne. But if you don’t mind, I’ll take the undies.’ He leaned forward, grabbed the candy and put them into his pocket.

‘Really? Midnight snack?’ I giggled, wiping away some wandering tears.

‘I hope so!’ His cheeky smile lit up the room. ‘C’mon, you ready to go back out there? After that speech, the poor cunt will be shitting himself!’ Tom joked.

I bowed my head, feeling awkward that he must have overheard all of Andy’s declaration. Tom held the door open and ushered me out like a gentleman.

‘Everything in order?’ Andy asked, fidgeting with his phone case from the sofa.

I smiled back gratefully. ‘Yip, everything is perfect.’

---