Page 7 of The Hideout

“Just…you seemed angry.” Juliet’s dark eyes held concern, but that glint was ever-present. The very same glint she’d witnessed this morning when she was flirting.

Stop. No more flirting. Just work. “Bloody cold callers ringing me. I get at least five calls a day.”

“After midnight? That’s unusual.”

Paige cleared her throat. “Probably international or something. It looked like a weird number.”

“Okay, well, I was wondering if you could hang around for a little while once you’ve finished in here?”

Paige’s stomach sank. She hadn’t impressed Juliet enough. “Sure. Yeah. I’ll just be a few minutes.”

“No rush.” Juliet regarded her with a gorgeous smile as she ran a hand through her silky dark hair. There was something about her that made Paige feel calm. “I’ll see you out in the bar, okay?”

Paige nodded and got to work with the clearing up so she didn’t keep Juliet waiting too long. It was late; she surely wanted to get home soon.

Paige finished up in the kitchen, stacking her ‘tools’ ready for tomorrow, and headed back out into the bar. Juliet was waiting for her on the serving side, two stools set out together on the opposite side. Rachel…not in sight.

“So…” Paige puffed out her cheeks, drying her hands on her thighs.

“Drink?”

“Um, sure. Can I get a honey JD, please?”

Juliet nodded, pouring a large measure for Paige. And then she poured a bourbon for herself and brought both glasses with her. “Let’s sit.”

Paige was about to sit on a stool when Juliet pointed her towards the couch she’d just shared with Rachel and placed their drinks on the table.

“Before I forget,” Paige said as she sat down. “I’ve counted the tips out and left them behind the bar. You just need to take whatever your percentage is.”

Juliet took an envelope from her pants pocket, placing it down next to Paige’s drink. “The tips are yours. All of them.”

“Wha—how?” Paige couldn’t possibly take all of the tips from tonight. The ‘clients’ here really did throw their money about. There had to be at least two hundred pounds laid out by the cash register.

“You worked the bar, yes?” Paige nodded, dumbfounded that she’d made 100% tips. That rarely happened in bars these days. “Then the tips are yours.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

“You’ve not had a great time in some bars, have you?” Juliet relaxed back on the couch, encouraging Paige to do the same.

She took her drink and held it on her thigh, sinking into the soft leather. “Some have been okay, but others haven’t. Mostly because they’ve been chain bars and not independent. The management think they can just help themselves to whatever they want. Us minions don’t have a say.”

“Well, that won’t happen here.”

“I really enjoyed tonight. You guys are much friendlier up here. It’s been lovely.” Paige studied Juliet’s face. She couldn’t picture her as a brutal lawyer. She seemed far too laid back.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m assuming this means you’ll return tomorrow?”

“Absolutely. Same time?”

Juliet sipped her bourbon slowly, those eyes quite intense when they held your gaze. “I have somewhere I need to be tomorrow, and I’m not sure I’ll be back to open up at the usual time. Is there any chance I can ask you to do it for me?”

Paige had never been given that responsibility before. She usually came and went without a fuss. But from what she could gather, Juliet hadn’t employed anyone else yet. “Sure. That’s no problem for me. Whatever I can do to help.”

“Thank you. It would be a huge help.” Juliet placed a hand to Paige’s knee, surprising Paige, to say the least. She felt the warmth in Juliet’s touch, the sincerity too. “I’ll let you finish your drink and get home. Can I call you a cab?”

“No. The walk will do me good. I’ve been lounging around too much lately.”

Juliet’s hand fell away, disappointing Paige. But it didn’t matter how disappointed she felt; she still had a husband at home.

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