Page 63 of The Hideout

“It’s fine. I’m sure she’ll remember for next time, right?” Paige glanced back at Cara. She seemed shocked that Paige hadn’t flipped her shit on her. But Paige didn’t need to. She was certain Cara was aware of the consequences now.

“Y-yeah. Sorry. I’ll keep on top of it in the future.”

“Very well.” Juliet followed Paige out from behind the bar, catching her hand. “Can I have a word with you for a few minutes?”

“Sure. If you think Cara can manage alone?”

Juliet smiled, cocking her head towards the office. “I’m sure she’ll be fine. Come into the office for a minute.”

Paige wondered if she’d done something wrong. Juliet never called her into the office. “Um, yeah. Is everything okay, babe?”

“Oh, of course.” Juliet ushered Paige into the office, closing the door behind her. She took an envelope from the desk, handing it over. “Take that with you in the morning.”

“What…is it?”

“Some cash. To see you over. I don’t want you to have to worry about anything, and I’d rather you just use cash. You know, in case he finds you based on where you use your card.”

Paige smiled. “That’s why I only use cash now. It’s a bit of a pain in the arse when I need to buy something from a cashless place. Quite humiliating too when I walk out empty-handed.”

Juliet reached into her handbag on the desk, removing her purse. She took out multiple cards, checking them. “Take this. It’s one of my credit cards. I’ll text you the pin. Keep it on you, even when you’re back, and then you don’t have to worry about being caught out in a cashless shop.”

Paige held up a hand, pushing it back towards Juliet. “That’s really lovely, but I’m fine. I don’t need it. I just check now when I go into a shop that they accept cash.”

“Paige, please.”

“Really, I’m fine. I have plenty of cash. You can take this back too.” She thrust the envelope back at Juliet, but she wouldn’t accept it. “Babe, come on. Don’t make me take this.”

“Don’t give it back to me.” Juliet lifted a shoulder. “Keep it for an emergency. You never know when you might need it.”

“But I won’t need it. I know I won’t.”

Juliet sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “If you don’t take it, I’m coming with you.”

“W-what? You’re bribing me?”

“If that’s the only way to make you take it, yes. You could miss the train or anything and need to find a hotel for the night. There could be a multitude of reasons why you can’t get home. At least if you take this cash, I’ll know that you have the means to put yourself up somewhere for the night.”

Paige nodded, aware that Juliet was worried about tomorrow. “Fine. I’ll take it. But expect me to give it back to you tomorrow night when I get back.”

“That works for me.” Juliet took Paige’s hand, pulling her in. “I don’t want you to go, Paige.”

“But I have to. I need to leave that place behind once and for all. If I don’t, I’ll never feel free. It’s just…something I have to do.”

“I know.”

“Now, I need to get back out there before Cara pisses off one of the clients with her attitude.”

Juliet reluctantly let go of Paige’s hand, nodding slowly. “If you must.”

“Oh, I don’t want to. I’d rather stay locked away in here with you. But if you want to keep the reputation of this place, I should be out there with her.”

“Something was going on when I came out there just before. Had she said something to you?”

Paige shrugged. “She was just trying her luck. Nothing to worry about.”

Juliet scoffed. “Trying her luck?”

“Yeah. Been there before. Never ends well for the other person.” Paige winked, leaning up and kissing Juliet. She wore sexy heels tonight, meaning Paige could just about reach those delicious lips. “Don’t worry. I’m all yours.”

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