Page 38 of The Hideout

She sat with her elbows on her knees, her head bowed with her hands clasped. Juliet knew Paige was here to say goodbye—her body language gave it away—but she was appreciative of her coming over to tell her. She could have fled in the night, but she hadn’t.

Juliet straightened herself, prepared for whatever Paige needed or wanted to say, and stopped in front of the table. “Hey.”

“Poured you a drink,” Paige said, looking up at Juliet with tired yet beautiful eyes. “And I figured I’d pour myself one if there’s any chance of being honest with you.”

Juliet nodded, a faint smile on her lips. “Whatever you need. I told you I was here for you. That hasn’t changed.”

Paige patted the couch beside her, cocking her head towards the empty spot. “Sit down. Let’s talk.”

Juliet wasn’t sure she wanted to go through this. It had taken her a million years to be in a position to have a relationship, and Paige was the woman she’d set her sights on. While she wasn’t spoilt and didn’t expect the world, their kiss had shown Juliet just the kind of electricity they had between them. All weekend, she’d felt miserable. She hadn’t wanted to leave her apartment this afternoon. Knowing Paige was leaving the bar and the city had really affected her. She couldn’t say why, but again, it all came back to that kiss. The voice too.

Juliet wished Paige could see what everyone else likely did when they looked at her, but she was beginning to understand that Paige was leaving…and there was nothing she could do about it. She was going to miss this woman far more than Juliet would openly admit. They may have only just been learning about one another, but Juliet couldn’t deny that connection, however hard she tried.

She sat down, took a tiny sip from the small glass of wine Paige had poured her, and exhaled a breath. “How are you?”

“Not good.” Paige’s voice trembled; her stare focused directly ahead of her. “I shouldn’t have left you in the lurch this weekend. I’m so angry with myself for not calling you this morning. You deserve better than that. This is not me.”

“It’s okay. You needed space, and I understand.”

“But I shouldn’t need space. I don’t even know you, Juliet. We’ve known one another for three weeks, and really, that’s not a lot at all.”

Juliet could see where Paige was from coming from, but she’d focused on the connection, so the fact they’d known one another for just a few weeks was irrelevant in Juliet’s opinion. “Well, it’s done now. It doesn’t really matter.”

Paige suddenly turned to Juliet, the torment in her eyes catching Juliet off guard. “I’m really sorry about Thursday night.”

That wasn’t how she wanted the conversation to begin. With an apology…for the kiss. Had Paige regretted it, even if she’d said otherwise on the phone? “You don’t have to apologise. It’s okay. I took the hint the moment you fled the bar. But I also take full responsibility. I kissed you.”

“Oh, no. I’m apologising for leaving. Not for kissing you. Unless you want me to say sorry for that…”

Juliet instantly covered Paige’s hand. “No. Please don’t say sorry for that.”

“Okay, good.” Paige smiled, her cheeks reddening.

And then Juliet suddenly had the urge to say some stuff when Paige fell silent. “Look, can we start again? No Rachel in the picture. No running away. Just…start from the beginning.”

Paige chewed her lip, shaking her head. “I want that, but I’m not sure there will ever be a picture without Rachel in it.”

“Rachel and I are…not going to be seeing one another for a long while. And never again how we once did.”

Paige watched Juliet, inspecting every inch of her face. Of course she would have doubts. Juliet had done very little to show Paige that Rachel wasn’t going to be an issue. “Then yes. I think the beginning is the best place to start. For me, anyway.”

Juliet reached for her glass, sat back on the couch, and tried to be as calm and relaxed as she possibly could. She suspected that was the version of herself Paige would need. “You should know that nothing can shock me with the work I used to do.” She laced their fingers together between their thighs, squeezing Paige’s hand. “I know you need to talk, so please, trust me.”

“I’m…married.”

Juliet instinctively loosened her grip on Paige’s hand as immense disappointment shot through her. But she would still listen, and if Paige needed it, offer whatever help she could. She hadn’t exactly lied to Juliet. Paige had stated she was just out of a relationship. “Okay.”

“And before you sit there wondering whether I’ve cheated, I haven’t. I’m trying to leave, but he’s making it painfully hard for me to do so.”

“I…don’t understand,” Juliet said, her brows drawn.

“You probably think I’m just shagging my way from city to city.” Paige lowered her drink and dragged a hand through her hair. “But I’m really not. I promise you I’m not. You’re the first woman, the first and only person I’ve even kissed since I married him. Feel free to take that however you want to take it.”

“I’m not sure what the issue is then. If you’re not together anymore, why are you so worried?”

“He’s under the impression that we are still together. I’ve told him I’m not coming home; I’ve asked him for a divorce, but…well, it’s not really working out for me. He already knows I’m here. He’s coming for me.”

“Coming for you?” Juliet quirked a brow, shocked by the choice of words Paige had used. “And what’s he going to do when he gets here? Sling you over his shoulder and ride off on his fucking white horse?”

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