Page 24 of The Hideout

“We’re okay, right? What I said earlier… If I was out of line, I apologise.”

Paige sat on a single chair opposite Juliet. She lowered her coffee to the table, propping her elbows on her knees as she leant in. “About the drink? Yeah, I was hoping to actually finish that conversation with you, but Cara walked in and put paid to that.”

“I don’t know why I even asked. Well, I do. But…it was out of line. I’m your boss, and you’ve never once insinuated that it would be something you’d be interested in. I was just chancing my luck, I guess.”

Paige suddenly swapped seats, now sinking into the leather beside Juliet.

Thrilled that Paige was sitting next to her, Juliet removed her reading glasses, downed her espresso, and gave her full attention to Paige.

“I’d love to go for a drink with you, I can’t quite believe you asked me, but I’m only here to work, Juliet. Liverpool is temporary for me; it’s not likely that I’ll be in a position to stay full-time, so yeah…I’m just here to work.”

“No chance of that six-month contract then?” Juliet chose to focus on the business side of things. It seemed she was far more capable of doing that than trying to date.

“M-maybe. I don’t know. I have things going on back in my hometown that I might have to deal with, so I don’t want to say yes and then have to leave. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Juliet placed a hand on Paige’s forearm, squeezing gently. “I understand. But I hope you know that if you did want to stay, I’d make sure you could go home if you needed to. Sudden or planned, I’d make sure you didn’t have to worry about the bar.”

Paige scoffed. “I never want to go back home again, but chances are, it will eventually happen.”

“For good or just to visit?” Paige seemed very secretive about her personal life, but Juliet couldn’t blame her. Not everybody had their life plastered all over social media for everyone to pick apart. Paige seemed like one of the few people who didn’t give in to those sorts of pressures.

“I’m…in the process of coming out of a relationship. Things are complicated, but I should go back at some point to clear everything up. To…move forward.”

“I see.”

Paige placed her hand over Juliet’s, smiling as her shoulders relaxed. “Look, you’re gorgeous. Absolutely way out of everyone’s league. Please don’t take my rejection as anything personal.”

Paige shouldn’t say things like that. It only made Juliet want her more. “Whatever you have going on, I’m here if you need to talk, okay?”

Paige nodded, that smile widening. “You know, I had no idea what to expect when I walked in here. I figured you’d be one of those ‘takes no shit from anybody’ people who gives nothing away, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.”

“Oh, I was one of those people. But by doing that, look at me now.” Juliet sighed, slipping her hand out from under Paige’s. “A bar owner with nobody in my life. And then I go and make a fool of myself by asking a thirty-year-old out on a date. I really need to take my head out of my arse.”

Paige dipped her head, finding Juliet’s gaze. That grey seemed silver tonight, they shone so brightly. “Hey, this thirty-year-old almost fell off her stool when you asked. Trust me, you didn’t make a fool of yourself. But I’m not in a position to put either of us through something that likely won’t go anywhere. And that’s not because of you; it’s because of the situation I’m in.” Paige suddenly lifted Juliet’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “You made my day, but now I have to get back to work before this newbie destroys my reputation.”

Juliet tried to fight the feeling Paige’s lips on her skin gave her. The gentle brush, the featherlight touch, it had Juliet’s insides swirling. She couldn’t say she’d ever had butterflies before.

“You okay?” Paige asked as she got to her feet and stared down at Juliet.

“Yes. Fine. Work with Cara for another hour and then call it a night. Join me here. Let’s see what she’s made of when she’s working alone.”

Paige’s brows rose. “Okay. I can do that.”

Chapter 8

ALONE

Paige took her keys from her back pocket, and shoved them in the front of her rucksack. She was done for the night, and now she was going to sit back and enjoy watching Cara crumble. She may have been in the bar industry, and she may have had a fancy managerial title from previous establishments, but The Hideout wasn’t just a bar. It was an experience.

She turned out the light in the small locker room, slinging her bag over her shoulder. While she couldn’t indulge Juliet via a drink…a date, she could certainly enjoy spending time with her during working hours. It didn’t matter if she’d wanted to say yes—she couldn’t. But she could admire Juliet without making it obvious. Paige had spent plenty of time over the years perfecting that skill.

As she headed out from the back of the bar, Cara caught her attention.

“Hey, uh, who’s the woman?” Cara cocked her head towards Juliet’s spot.

Great. That was Paige’s night ruined. She really had been looking forward to spending some time with Juliet. “That’s…Rachel. Juliet’s friend.”

“Friend, huh? Wouldn’t mind a friend of my own like that.”

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