Page 11 of The Hideout

“I’m sure it’s far more enjoyable for you. You have someone to share your mornings with.”

Juliet smiled against the rim of her coffee cup. “You mean Rachel?”

“Mm. What is the deal with that?”

“You really want to know?”

“I mean, you don’t have to explain. We don’t know one another from Adam. But she’s very fond of you…as she put it last night.”

Juliet rolled her eyes playfully. “I pay her to be here, okay?”

“She’s…staff?” Why the hell would Juliet pay anyone to sit around drinking in a fancy dress?

Juliet laughed from deep within her belly. God, it was a sound Paige would memorise. “No, Paige. I pay her to be with me. She’s an escort.”

Paige’s eyes widened. “O-oh!”

“Mmhmm.”

“Shit, I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.” Why did Paige have to go and ask about Juliet’s personal life? It was never going to be plain sailing. Paige wasn’t that lucky. She was the queen of creating awkward conversations. “Forget I asked.”

“Paige,” Juliet said, shifting closer as she placed her coffee cup down. Their thighs touched, an unfamiliar ache settling deep within Paige. “I’m not someone who hides who I am. I enjoy my time with Rachel, but she’s an escort. Nothing more.”

“I admire that, I really do.”

“But never mind Rachel.” Juliet turned side-on, propping her head in her hand. “I want to know all about that voice of yours. You’re a bit of a mystery to me, Paige.”

“I’m really not. Just a girl from down south who has very little going for her except for her cocktail skills.”

“Mm. I’m not so sure of that. But I will get to the bottom of it.” Juliet spoke with a playful tone, but it unnerved Paige slightly. She didn’t want people digging into her life. Because then, the disappointing truth would be revealed.

Paige didn’t want it to be this way. She hated the thought of Juliet thinking she was being secretive. It was just…the only way to survive. “If that’s your plan, if you hope to uncover some kind of hidden aspect of my life, then I can’t continue working for you. I love it here, this has been the one place I’ve felt appreciated since I started…and it’s only been two days. To think you’re wary of me, I couldn’t stay, Juliet.”

“Oh, I don’t think anything of the kind. Not at all.”

“Then why do you want to know more about me? It was just a song. No different to someone who sings karaoke at the weekend in a local dive bar.”

“Okay.” Juliet held up a hand. “I’m sorry. I won’t pry anymore.”

“It’s not that. I just…I’m trying to start over here, and I’d like to do so with a clean slate.”

Juliet sat forward, squeezing Paige’s shoulder. “Got it. I’ll leave you be. I was just enamoured by my beautiful bartender who has an extraordinary voice.”

“E-enamoured?” Paige frowned. “By me?”

Juliet got to her feet, taking their empty coffee cups. “What can I say? I’m a lesbian, Paige. I don’t often throw myself at women, but the moment you walked through my door…yes, I noticed you. And then you sang thinking nobody was listening, and I only wanted to know you better. Forgive me. It won’t happen again.”

Damn it. Paige wanted that to happen again. Ten times over. All the moments of the day.

But Juliet stared back at her, those brown eyes sad. “I am sorry. It wasn’t my intention to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“Y-you haven’t.” Paige felt bad. Juliet was looking at her as though she’d just done something very wrong. But the truth was, Paige was scared about her future. Juliet knew her only as this woman sitting here right now. To uncover the truth—the husband who couldn’t keep his fists to himself…she didn’t want Juliet to know that Paige. Not if she was enamoured by this one.

“Let’s open. Have another great night. What do you say?”

“Yes.” Paige forced a deep exhale, smiling. “Let’s open.”

Chapter 4

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