Page 53 of What Happens in Dubai

Ashley jolted upwards, looking concerned, but I couldn’t engage with her. I was fixated on my screen. I typed quickly.

Please say you mean it!!! OMG, so crazy but so AMAZING!! xx

I was practically panting with excitement, refreshing my phone screen every few seconds as I waited for his reply.

‘Zara, for fuck’s sake, what’s up?’ Ashley was stomping her feet like an impatient child in a bid to get noticed.

‘Shhhh, Ash. I think Cameron’s booked a flight for Glasgow!’ I yelled. ‘Oh my god, he’s typing! Shhhh. He’s typing!’ I was out of my seat, jumping up and down.

‘AHHHHHH! Shut the fuck up! For when? When?’ She bounced up and down with me.

I mean it Zara! See you Tuesday bby! I don’t have a date to restart work (as yet) so it looks like you’ll have me for a few days at least xx

I started squealing as my eyes skimmed the message. ‘He’s staying for a few days! Mate!’ I was thrusting the air jokingly.

‘Oh my god! What the actual fuck! This is a big step, Zara. Are you sure about this?’

‘Of course I’m bloody sure, Ash! Please get on board with this!’

I didn’t have time for Ashley’s concerns to dampen my mood. I got it, and I knew this wasn’t the best timing for me to find someone given her circumstance with Dave, but I needed to take my chance. I felt unbelievably nervous and extremely apprehensive, yet happy and outrageously excited all swirled into one.Someonewas flying halfway across the world just to seeme.

Chapter Eighteen

Tuesday seemed to come around exceptionally quick. Ashley and I spent the weekend hauling bags of old bobbled clothes from my wardrobe to charity shops, striving to create space for her things. We double hung and squeezed as much clothing as we could back into my wardrobe and drawers. Then, together, we scrubbed the flat, took out the bins and even changed the old crumby bedcovers, all to make way for my special visitor, Cameron.

My stomach appeared slightly less flabby as I scrutinised it in the bedroom mirror that particular morning. I had, after all, participated in a dramatic four hundred calorie per day deficit. The idea of stripping down naked for my Mr Muscle was horrifying me, and I could feel my anxieties build. I had gotten used to stripping quickly with confidence, not giving one single fuck what my Tinder fuck boys were thinking. If they judged my body or not, I didn’t care, the only thing I desired was a big old orgasm, and a commitment-free one-nighter. However, today was different, Cameron was different, and I wholly accepted the likelihood that when he saw my cellulite jiggle and my hairy big toe wiggle, he would be on the quickest flight back to the United Arab Emirates.

I was nauseous at the concept of seeing him again, but I couldn’t help but feel swept away by such a bold move. I didn’t want to get too excited, but no one had ever done something so romantic for me before. Fuck, I couldn’t even get Tom to acknowledge me in the hospital canteen and this cunt was flying across an entire continent just to see me. I hadn’t wanted to make anything work with anyone else until now. I felt goosebumps climb up my arm just thinking about his stunningly handsome face. He had the most muscular arms, perfect dimpled cheeks hidden behind the macho beard, and today I’d finally get to explore what was underneath that emoji, and I couldn’t fucking wait. I pictured seeing him at the airport and leaping towards him like they do in the movies. He’d drop his luggage and spin me around. I imagined taking him back to my house and allowing him to undress me slowly, throwing me onto the bed then pleasuring me with his turbulent tongue. I had thought of it all. Every single part. Hours upon hours of phone calls finally came down to this day.

I woke early that morning, butterflies prancing around my belly. My fake bake had developed nicely, and within half an hour, I was freshly showered and smothered in Molton Brown moisturiser. I planned to collect Cameron from the airport at five, which meant I had to organise my work outfit around an appropriate number to pick him up in as well. Something sophisticated but sexy. After much deliberation over the weekend and a two-hour late-night catwalk show in my living room, Ashley and I decided on a black V-neck knee-length dress teamed up with a blazer. My rollers were in, and after I showered, I released them, revealing bouncy luscious locks. My pubes were eradicated, and a generous amount of Femfresh was slathered over my poontang, guaranteeing a healthy pH balance fit for an excellent late-night kebab munching.

I felt unusually organised for such sexual events. I hadn’t had my usual quota of men since ditching Tinder, and I was looking forward to a meaningful shag. All that was left to do now was go to work and stay focused on saving Individualise. At ten to nine, Ashley and I hovered, having one last studious look at the flat. She had pyjamas and a change of work clothes stuffed in her favourite Chantelle case ready for an overnight at Emily’s to give me and Cameron time alone.

‘What do you think? Looks OK, doesn’t it?’

She tilted her head. ‘Yeah, not bad. One last Febreze before work?’ she suggested.

‘Go for it!’

Ashley dashed through the flat, clip-clopping in her heels as she over-spritzed the fabric refresher.

Coughing on the fumes, we left the fresh yet misty flat behind.

‘How are you feeling, Zara?’ Ashley asked as we left the close.

‘I feel … worried. What if he doesn’t like me? What if he doesn’t fancy me? What if—’

Ashley let out an almighty groan. ‘And what if he does? Don’t ruin this moment because of your insecurities! Fucking own it, man.’ She stopped in the street and turned to face me head-on. ‘Maybe I’ve been distracted and a tiny smidge jealous of this relationship forming with everything that’s going on with me, and I’m so sorry. But as your best friend, I understand you need regular pep talks and I’ve been off my game recently, so here it is, listen – OK? There is a man – a fucking hot, stunning man – who is leaving a warm country to spend a few days with you in this cold wet city! God, he only met you for a few hours, Zara, and he’s already smitten. And to be honest, I don’t blame him. You’re fucking fabulous. Now, push back your shoulders and justbeconfident. I’m so sick of your negative body chat. It’s exhausting. You attract what you feel, remember?’

I paused for a second, taking on board how inconsiderate I must have sounded since arriving home from Dubai, finding any excuse, twenty-four hours a day, just to mention Cameron’s name when Ashley’s been in torture.

‘He sounds like a keeper. In fact, I know it! So, stop for one second, and believe that you deserve this shit. I don’t want to hear one more negative thing leave your lips today, OK?’ Ashley’s warm, excitable grin was contagious, and I felt reassured after her lecture.

‘OK, you’re right!’ I rested my head on her shoulder. ‘Ashley, thank you and I’m sorry if I kept going on and on about him. I don’t know what I’d do without you,’ I said, and we walked arm in arm to the clinic.

Raj was sitting on the sofa, engrossed in his phone as we arrived.

‘Morning. How’s my girls?’ Thank fuck he appeared to be in a better mood than the last time I’d seen him.

---