Page 45 of What Happens in Dubai
‘I could be inclined to spend more time there if I had something to go back for though.’
‘Or someone?’ I murmured, feeling all the heat rush to my face.
‘So, I know this is unusual, and I’m probably going to sound like a massive weirdo in a minute, but I’m getting this other flight in a few hours, so I won’t even be able to leave the airport. But, when we land, I don’t suppose you would like to grab a coffee with me? It would be an airport special, so nothing fancy, just to pass the time. I completely understand if you’re too tired and have a million other things to do, but it’s just a thought …’
‘I’d love to,’ I replied quickly, not needing a second to think about it.
‘OK. Good. I’m looking forward to it already.’ Cameron put his strong hand on top of mine and gently squeezed it. I turned to Ashley, who was still spectating. When she saw me, she started to thrust her hips excessively and mouthed over, ‘Mile-high club!’ I screwed my face up at her before popping one of Cameron’s AirPods back in.
The flight eventually began its descent into Glasgow, and I had butterflies. I knew my journey with Cameron wasn’t over, and I hadn’t felt anything like this with anyone else for such a long time. Maybe it was my holiday buzz, or maybe it was the atypical place we’d met, but one thing was for sure, it felt right. I had always heard people say you meet the man of your dreams when you least expect to, and perhaps they’re right. For the first time in my life, I was more concerned about the clinic, then this hot bastard catapulted straight towards me at thirty thousand feet. I tried not to get too carried away, but something felt real and pure. Maybe this wasmytime? Maybe, this wasmymovie.
It was approaching 5 p.m. when I shuffled down the small plane staircase with my friends and Cameron. Fuck, it felt good to inhale cool air once again. My body was entirely drained from the wild long weekend, but my head was glistening full of hopes and dreams with Cameron at the forefront. We walked through passport control, and the four of us stood together, awaiting our luggage.
‘So, Cameron and I are going for a coffee. I’ll grab a taxi home and catch you guys in the morning?’ I tried my hardest not to smirk with delight as my friends looked thrilled for me.
‘Sure. If Dave’s finished work, he’ll be collecting us anyway.’ Ashley held up her phone for a better signal. ‘Not that he’s even texted to tell me. If not, we can grab a taxi together, eh, boss?’ Ashley rested her head on Raj’s shoulder, and he briefly patted her head.
‘Will you be OK tonight, Ash?’ I asked quietly, still unsure of what her plans were for her and Dave.
‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ she replied, brushing me off.
A large beep echoed through the building as the baggage belt began churning, and the hall full of impatient, sun-stroked, hungover Glaswegians squeezed together, hoping to reclaim their belongings first. I peered through the cracks between people and pinched my way to the front when I spotted my large pink case. But as I went to lift it, I felt a tap from behind and looked up to see Cameron.
‘Let me, Zara.’ With one slight tug, he hauled my suitcase off and lifted his khaki green holdall too.
‘Shall we head?’ Cameron asked.
I looked up to the hot, strong, masculine man in front of me and nodded.
‘Yes, sure! See you later then, guys.’ I called over to my friends who were paying more attention to their phones than their luggage.
Ashley glanced up briefly and winked, and I pulled a face, feeling nervous.
Cameron held his hand out to grab mine. My heart thumped loudly as the blood flooded my entire body. I grasped his hand tightly and pushed my case with the other.
‘So, do you make it a habit, chatting up girls on flights?’ I asked as we walked towards the concourse.
‘No, never,’ he laughed. ‘Well, when you consider I was married before, I suppose that means I would never have looked at another woman, never mind chat her up.’
My psychologically disturbed heart immediately sank at the thought of the man I had just met being married to someone else, and I felt nauseous.
‘Oh, right, OK,’ I replied, nodding, as we approached the coffee shop.
‘So, are you separated?’ I probed further, trying my hardest to sound laid-back when I knew this bitch was about to be severely stalked.
‘Divorced, yes,’ he said. ‘I took some time out, travelled and enjoyed life, I suppose. Anyway, enough of that, eh.’ We were approaching the empty coffee shop and we stopped at the entrance. ‘What would you like to drink?’ Cameron asked.
‘Oh, can I have a hot chocolate, please?’ I smiled at the handsome man who had let go of my hand in search of his wallet.
‘Oh, great choice. Choose a seat, and I’ll bring it over.’
He gestured towards the empty chairs, and I whizzed my case over to a small booth, waiting restlessly. I observed Cameron greet the barista with impeccable manners and some friendly chat. He ordered the same drink as me and topped them both off with cream and marshmallows.
‘Here you go,’ he announced as he brought the drinks over.
‘Aw, thank you so much,’ I replied, immediately stirring the cream, hoping to avoid it catching on my moustache.
‘So, tell me about you, Zara. I want to know everything.’ Cameron gazed at his watch. ‘Well, maybe not everything. I have a flight to catch in just over an hour,’ he giggled.
