Page 14 of The Hideout

They sat down, and Paige instantly picked up a menu. Her anxiety was through the roof. Between Juliet hugging her—that supple body against her—and being brutally honest with James, she suddenly felt lightheaded.

“Sorry. I just need a minute.” Paige lowered her menu, gripping the table as she closed her eyes. The room was spinning, but as Paige rested back against the chair, she felt Juliet cover her hand. She instantly settled. When she opened her eyes again, Juliet was looking at her with concern.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you. A little lightheaded. Probably because I didn’t have breakfast.”

Juliet squeezed her hand and then drew her own away. “Always eat breakfast.”

“I will in the future.” Paige smiled as she relaxed further, captured by Juliet’s beautiful eyes. Her stunning smile. The warmth of her hand still remained even though they weren’t touching. Paige had to get out of her head. “Busy morning?”

“Actually, no. I’ve had a lovely quiet morning doing very little.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Oh, it is. You wouldn’t believe how good it feels to not worry about work. An upcoming case. The thought of spending all day in court. The planning and the long hours.”

“You must have liked your job at one time, though. That’s a long career with some…dubious characters to represent. Which, by the way, I’m not judging you for.”

“Everyone is entitled to representation.”

“Can I ask why you decided to leave your career behind?” Paige quickly eyed the menu when she saw a server approaching. Once she got talking to Juliet, she didn’t particularly want to stop.

“What can I get you ladies?” The server stood with an iPad in their palm, looking between Juliet and Paige.

“I’ll have the chicken slider and a side of fries, please.” Paige handed her menu over, watching Juliet as she perused her own.

“And I’ll have the same. Who cares if I’m in a carb coma after it? I can nap before work if I choose to now.” Juliet winked in Paige’s direction. God, she had to stop doing little things like that.

The server smiled and left the table. Paige took the coffee Juliet had already ordered for her before she arrived and sipped. “So, the job…”

“Ah, yes. Honestly, I’d had enough. My mother passed away six months ago, and I barely had time to attend her funeral. It was then that I realised I was far too committed to my job rather than my life. I had all these plans when I was growing up. I always wanted to be in law, but I wanted to do so with a family and a wife at home. I wanted to be settled down whilst enjoying my job.” Juliet lowered her eyes, a faint smile painted on her lips. “But it never worked out that way. And though it’s no longer possible for me to have the things I dreamed of, it doesn’t mean I should work myself into an early grave.”

“Oh, I’m sure there’s plenty of time.”

“That’s sweet, but the dating pool is non-existent for women my age. I’m almost fifty.” Paige opened her mouth to argue, but Juliet held up a hand. “And that’s not me degrading myself, it’s really not, but there’s nothing out there. Escorts, yes. Women who will happily spend the night with you for one hell of a fee, yes. But something real and meaningful? That time has passed for me.”

God, that was sad. Would Paige meet the same fate if she didn’t take ownership of who she was and what she wanted soon? Probably. But James was constantly at the back of her mind. There was no way he was going to walk away from Paige. That would be far too humiliating for him. And then there was the idea that Paige was into women. Oh, all hell would break loose when he found out that information.

Maybe it was just easier to go back to him. Their life together. A life Paige loathed.

A life she hadn’t felt safe in for some time.

“I…lost you for a moment then.” Juliet dipped her head, finding Paige’s eyes. “All good?”

“Oh, yes. Just…thinking about the changes in my own life.”

“I’d say you’re doing well at the moment. You’ve moved to a new city, you have a great job…and a great boss.”

“Yeah, I do. Thank you again for hiring me.”

“I liked what I saw. Why wouldn’t I hire you?”

Paige puffed out her cheeks. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that I don’t stay in one place for too long. It’s been an issue on the odd occasion. People want someone reliable and long-term. I’m not always in a position to offer that.”

“Well, I was hoping I could entice you with at least a six-month contract…” Juliet sat back, allowing her offer to hang over them. Paige would love to commit to that, she’d love to stay in Liverpool, but James already knew she was here. Chances were, he’d find her within those six months. Probably a lot sooner. “Say you’ll think about it. I think we could be a great team, Paige.”

“I will. I’ve only rented the place I’m staying at for a month, but the owner is in Dubai for the next two years, so six months would probably be fine. I know them.”

---