Page 87 of Miss Typed

“Yeah, but you go on. Have fun.”

Matt excused himself to greet someone else who’d just arrived, giving the two of us a minute of privacy. “Be honest, do you really have a call?”

Aiden sighed. “No, but I can’t go in.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s tricky to walk with a bare foot in a prosthesis as the balance is different than it is with shoes. And with my leg still healing, there’s no way I can do it for a long tour. I should probably limit my walking as it is anyhow as it’s just now feeling better.”

Oh, crap. I hadn’t considered any of this. “I’ll stay with you.”

His jaw clenched. “No, you won’t. It would be rude for us both to sit out. I’ll be fine.”

I didn’t want to go on the tour any more. I wanted to stay with him and make sure he didn’t feel left out of the activity because of his leg, something no one here knew about but me. “I don’t have to go in—”

A measure of anger flashed in his eyes. “Don’t, Chloe. I’d feel worse if you were to miss it. Please go.”

I hadn’t meant to make things worse by offering to stay with him. Yet, somehow, I had. “Okay. I guess I’ll see you once we’re done.”

His smile was tight. “Yes. See you then.”

Matt had arranged for the group to have a guided tour, which was wonderful as they explained the history of the mosque and all of the details I would’ve otherwise missed. I remained in awe of such beauty.

About halfway through the tour, Matt came up to me. “I was worried for a second you’d be a bump on a log like your boss, but glad to see you joined us.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to defend Aiden, but I knew he wouldn’t appreciate it. And I obviously wasn’t going to share his personal business, either. “The mosque is extraordinary.”

“It really is. Too bad this tour is only ninety minutes. If you ever have a chance to return, spend more time. It’s worth it.”

I bet it was. “I can imagine.”

At the end of the tour, after putting my shoes back on, I searched for Aiden, but I didn’t see him anywhere. Perhaps he was waiting in the shuttle bus that was to take us back to the office? But he wasn’t there. I took a seat in the bus and then pulled out my phone to text him.

Matt came on the bus smiling. “You mind sharing a seat?”

“No, not at all.” Most of the seats were doubled up, and I didn’t think anything of it. My mind was more focused on the fact Aiden hadn’t returned my text asking where he was.

“Did you have fun?” my seatmate asked.

“Yeah. I did. Thank you for inviting us. The mosque was on my bucket list of things to see.”

“Happy to hear it. I think these types of evenings are important for getting to know our coworkers. So many of us are far from home.”

“Yes, we are.”

“I’m sensing an accent. Where are you from?”

“Toronto originally. You?”

“Billings, Montana. I definitely miss the snow living here. How long have you lived in Dubai?”

The conversation went on. He was nice, and easy to talk to, but once we returned to the office, I had to ask. “Have you seen Aiden?” I’d sent him a text, but he hadn’t answered.

“He said he was going back to the hotel, and since dinner is there, I’m sure he’s meeting us.”

Made sense. As in Dubai, the majority of the finer dining establishments were inside of the hotels, including the one in which Aiden and I were staying. He only had to come downstairs to join us.

At the hotel restaurant, Matt followed me in and went straight over to the hostess stand to give her our reservation details.