Chapter 53: Round two

The first thing I saw in Dubai was the inside of an air-conditioned car. And it was great.

Water bottles were handed out to us as we piled in. The heat crept into the car with us and lingered for a few seconds before the air con came on. I was momentarily overwhelmed: disoriented, exhausted, excited and... shy. I felt out of my element here. If we're being honest, I feel out of my element every day. But this was a whole other level.

I've never been on a group vacation before, let alone one that included Luke Dawson, Austin Taylor and... Chad. Everyone in the car was talking, laughing, joking but then Luke connected his phone to the speakers and turned the music way up. The energy in the car turned up with it and the bass vibrated my seat. I was happy I packed my ear plugs. I tried to subtly put them on, without anyone noticing. **

~Chad's villa~