Page 15 of The Hideout

“Where is it you’re staying?” Juliet asked, those brown eyes pinning Paige to her chair. God, why did women have to have such beautiful faces? Why did Juliet, in particular, have to be so good-looking? And kind, and sweet, and fucking hot! “You don’t have to tell me.”

“Sorry. Um, by the river. An apartment block on East Street.”

“Not…Alexander Tower?”

“Yeah. That’s the one. Gorgeous place. I got really lucky. One of my old bosses owns it, and she doesn’t even want any rent from me. Said she’d rather it was lived in than sat empty.”

“Alexander Tower is where I live.”

Paige laughed and shook her head. “No way.”

“It is. What number are you staying in?”

“3…19.”

Juliet grinned. “Impressive. I’m two doors down from you. The corner apartment with the best views in the building.”

Whoa. How had that happened? Fate, maybe? “Really?”

“Honest to God.” Juliet placed a hand to her chest. “You should come over one evening when neither of us are working. Have dinner. A drink. Whatever.”

“I’d really like that.” Paige smiled, a blush creeping up her neck when Juliet continued to stare. “But I doubt we’ll be off on the same day. You don’t even have any other bar staff yet.”

“The bar will be closed every Thursday,” Juliet explained. “Not this week or next because I’m trying to get a feel for the place, but starting the week after, you’ll be off every Thursday. As will I.”

“Oh, well, then sure. We should do that sometime.” Was that the best decision Paige could make? No. But if she could remain neutral here, only see Juliet as her boss, then everything would go to plan. The same as it did in every other city when she kept herself to herself…then disappeared.

“Maybe then you’ll trust me enough to tell me all about yourself.” Juliet winked, filling their glasses with water from the table. “And if not, I’ll have to keep working on that.”

Chapter 5

LIKE I CAN

Lifting her legs onto the footstool in the window, Juliet sunk back into her reading chair, fresh coffee cooling on the side table. This morning, she had everything she needed. A good romance novel, time to herself, and a reminder of Paige’s beautiful voice. What more could she possibly need in her life? Well, a woman to love. That would be a dream.

She rested her head back, sighing as she reached blindly for her coffee.

Paige had been right when she had spoken about the stillness of the morning. Coffee in hand. The chance to just be. Juliet wondered if Paige was doing the very same thing this morning. Was she resting two doors away, taking her time to start her own day?

That woman really was a mystery.

There was a gentle knock at the door. So gentle that Juliet wondered if she’d imagined it. She lowered her novel to the table, took her coffee with her, and approached the door. Another quiet knock, and Juliet reached for the handle.

“Oh, hi.” Juliet frowned, confused as to why Rachel was standing outside her door, no booking arranged. “Is everything okay?”

“Sure. I was wondering if we could talk?”

Juliet glanced down her body, aware she was only wearing a robe. It wasn’t ideal, but she’d known Rachel long enough that early morning dress was okay. She’d seen her many times in far less. “Yes. Come in.”

“I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No. I was just drinking my coffee and getting some reading in.”

Rachel’s brows rose as she crossed the threshold. She moved towards the island in the kitchen, placing her handbag down. “I didn’t know you read.”

There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Juliet thought.

“Who doesn’t read?” She laughed, closing the door and following Rachel into the kitchen. “Cuppa?”

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