Page 78 of The Hideout

Hannah smirked, nodding slowly. “Well, maybe it’ll teach him to keep his fucking hands to himself.”

“She only wants a divorce. She doesn’t want any fuss, any trial, just a divorce.”

“Mm. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll sign those papers the second he sees them.”

Juliet’s phone buzzed on the table. She lifted it, smiling.

Could I take a quick shower, please? x

Juliet swallowed down the emotion lodged in her throat, texting Paige back.

You’re welcome to do whatever you need to do, Paige. No need to ask. J x

Thank you x

Juliet scoffed, locking her phone and throwing it down on the table. “I think she’s scared to even be with me. We’ve been sleeping together, been together, for the last six weeks, and she’s texting to ask if she can use the shower.”

“It’s going to take time for her to feel like herself again. It’s also going to take time for you to feel as though you don’t need to walk on eggshells. It doesn’t happen often, but there are still times when Caz asks permission to do something. Or worries that she’s said or done the wrong thing and that I’m going to fly off the handle about it. But in time, things get easier. For both of you. It’s all about her knowing you’re there for her. It’s about understanding and patience.” Hannah dragged a hand through her hair, that familiar smile warming Juliet ever so slightly. “But she will be herself again, I know it.”

“I hope so.” Juliet exhaled a slow breath, sitting forward on the couch. “I know it’s over for us, but I’d hate to see her struggle coming out of this.”

Juliet got to her feet, squaring her shoulders as Hannah followed her. Hannah tugged her hand, turning Juliet to face her. “Hug?”

“Yes. Please.”

She hadn’t known how much she needed to be held, but Hannah’s arms around her, supportive and understanding, really did help. It meant she had someone she could confide in. Someone who understood what she was going through. Someone who cared.

“Thank you,” Juliet said, pulling back and holding onto Hannah’s forearms. “And thank you for coming over when I needed you. It means a lot.”

“You’re my friend, Juliet. Don’t forget that.”

Chapter 24

RUN TO YOU

Paige slowly made her way around Juliet’s kitchen, her laptop open on one end of the island while she prepared lunch at the opposite end. Juliet had left her a note this morning to say she had things to take care of at the bar, so Paige would make life easier for her by feeding Juliet before she went back to work later. It was Friday; the bar was always full on Fridays.

Paige had tried to apply makeup before she got in the shower earlier to see how she’d look so she could return to work, but the makeup did absolutely nothing for her. It didn’t take away anything she saw when she looked at herself in the mirror, so now she would have to let Juliet down once again by telling her she was unable to work tonight. It wasn’t ideal, Juliet needed all the hands she could on a Friday, but hopefully, she’d understand. Having said that, if she wanted to replace Paige at The Hideout, Paige would accept that. She was giving herself four weeks to recover, and then she would be gone. It made sense to hire a new mixologist sooner rather than later.

Sighing and disappointed that she could no longer call Juliet hers, Paige sniffled and carried on chopping salad. As she sliced into a red onion, Juliet’s apartment door opened.

“Hi.”

Juliet slowly closed the door, staring back at Paige.

“Everything okay at the bar?”

“Yes. I was meeting with an old friend. I came back because I had a few hours to spare. But if you need some space, I can go out and find something to do.”

“This is your apartment. If anyone is leaving, it’s me.”

Juliet applied the extra security lock on the back of her front door and lowered her bag. “You’re safer here.”

Paige gingerly lifted a shoulder, focusing on the salad. “I’m not sure he has the energy to go another round yet. I’d imagine his knuckles aren’t in the best condition.” Paige sprinkled the finely sliced red onion over the chicken salad in the bowl and slid it along the island. “Lunch is ready.”

“You made lunch?”

“For you, yes. Saves you eating crap from the nearest cafe you can find before you go back to the bar later.”

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