Page 26 of The Hideout

Paige laughed. “Oh, I think we both know that’s not quite the truth. If I hadn’t turned up, you’d be on your third orgasm by now.”

Juliet’s brows drew together. “Why do you care so much about what I’m doing with Rachel?”

“I don’t. But I do care about you. So, I want you to do what’s best for you. When we were talking the other day, when we had coffee at your place, you told me you didn’t want to continue with her. Either that was a lie, or something has changed for you. Whatever it is, you need to decide what you want in life. Only a few hours ago, you asked me to go for a drink with you. And right now, I’m glad I said no.”

“Paige.”

“Because as the night has gone on, I did wonder if I’d done the wrong thing by turning you down. But seeing that, how you can just switch and change, that’s not for me. Even if I was in a position to go for a drink with you.” Paige walked backwards slowly, watching as that sunk in with Juliet. “And for the record, if my life wasn’t so complicated…I’d have been doing far more than drinking with you by now.”

“W-what?”

Paige smiled as she lifted a shoulder. “You’re absolutely my type.”

“Paige, wait. Come on, we can figure it out.”

“We can’t. But you can go back inside and figure that out. See you Friday, boss.”

* * *

Rachel was ruining her chance with Paige. Whether Juliet’s head was up her arse or not, it was true. And she couldn’t handle it anymore. She wanted Paige to see her as someone she could trust, not someone who allowed their escort to control her night whenever it suited her.

She took the stairs to the bar quickly, stopping at the couch Rachel was sprawled out on. “You need to leave.”

“What? Why? You said you’d be there for me if I needed someone. And I do, I need you.” Rachel pouted, fluttering her eyelashes at Juliet. “Come on, baby. Sit down.”

“You’re fucking with my head, and I don’t need that.”

“Why? Because your little fantasy has run away upset? I’m not worried about her. She’s only a fucking bartender.” Rachel reached for her glass of wine and then sat back with her legs crossed. “I walked in here tonight, and your eyes lit up for me.”

“Because I was happy to see that you were okay. You’d just called me out of the blue crying down the phone.” And then Juliet realised what was happening. Rachel hadn’t been in trouble; she hadn’t needed a friend. She’d lied purely to get into the bar. “You didn’t have any issues with your last client, did you?”

Rachel smirked as she lifted a shoulder. “I wanted to see if you’d drop everything for me, and you did.”

“Yeah. Because I’m a fool. I thought you were hurt. Why would you do that to me?”

“To prove a point.” Rachel got to her feet, stalking towards Juliet. “You were supposed to spend the rest of the night with her. And instead, you ended up with me. That says a lot considering you don’t want to see me again.”

Juliet’s bottom lip quivered. “I can’t do this with you. You never once hinted that you expected more from me, Rachel. Every time we were together, we both knew what this was. Why now do you want more?”

“Because I like you, Juliet. And ever since she arrived, I mean nothing to you. I wanted to see what was so special about her. Honestly, she’s nothing compared to me.”

“I’m not trying to compare. That’s all your doing. To think I actually sat there a few days ago with Paige over coffee and told her about you. About us. How I felt bad for the way we’d parted. She was the one who sat and listened. She didn’t belittle you, she didn’t judge you, she just sat and listened.”

“You spoke to her about me?” Rachel asked, surprised.

“I did. Because I felt terrible. But now? Now I’m wondering why I care at all if you’re going to act like this.”

“Um, Juliet?” Cara suddenly spoke.

“WHAT?!”

Cara flinched as she slowly walked towards the exit. “I-I just wanted to let you know I was leaving and that I’ve locked up the back and the stock room for you.”

“Right, yeah. Thanks, Cara.” She turned to her server. “I’m sorry. I forgot you were still here. I’ll see you on Friday, okay?”

“You will. Goodnight.”

Juliet pinched the bridge of her nose, waiting until she heard the main door close. It slammed with a thud, her shoulders tensing as it did so. “I’m leaving now. And so are you. Get your stuff, and get out.”

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