Page 64 of The Hideout

“Damn right you are!”

* * *

Juliet stood back, watching as Paige mingled with clients. She was going to miss working without her tomorrow, but she fully believed that Paige knew what she was doing. She’d witnessed that fear in her eyes at the thought of James finding her. Paige would not go back to Kent unless she was certain she’d be safe. She wasn’t stupid, and Juliet had to trust that this was going to be okay. If it went wrong somewhere along the way, she could only be there for whatever Paige needed.

Her girlfriend turned back towards the bar, that smile wide and those eyes gleaming. “Hey, do you mind if I hop on the piano for a quick song, babe?”

Juliet’s heart beat a little faster. She would never deny that opportunity to Paige. “Please do. And don’t ever ask such a question again. That piano belongs to you.”

Paige rounded the bar, stepping as close to Juliet as she possibly could. She laced their fingers, grinning as she whispered in her ear. “This one is for you, gorgeous.”

“It is?”

“Of course it is. All for you.”

Juliet wanted to pin Paige to the nearest hard surface, but she had to remain professional. Her clients knew she was in a relationship with Paige, they were all very supportive, but she wouldn’t go overboard with public displays of affection. “Then I can’t wait to hear it.”

Paige offered her a slow kiss, nothing too intimate, and smiled against her lips. “I’m going to miss you tomorrow.”

“Don’t. I’m trying not to think about it.”

“Be back before you know it.” With a final chaste kiss, Paige stepped away from Juliet and made a beeline for the piano.

Juliet sighed, mostly content, and watched her girlfriend get situated behind the keys. God, this was overwhelming. She’d never had anyone she called a girlfriend before. But that only made this all the more special. It only meant far more than it usually would to Juliet.

Paige stroked her fingers against the keys, the bar falling silent when Paige closed her eyes and sang the opening line of Beverley Craven’s “Promise Me”. Her voice immediately sent a shiver down Juliet’s spine, her eyes focused on Paige’s wrists and fingers as they moved so effortlessly. Was this woman really hers? Juliet, tonight, couldn’t quite believe it.

Paige’s eyelids fluttered open, and she stared directly at Juliet. Every line, every word, every breath…Juliet felt her own breath begin to labour. And then the tears started to well, Cara’s presence beside her suddenly.

Juliet zoned out from everyone around her, only Paige visible as she serenaded her with the most beautiful vocal her ears had ever had the pleasure of hearing.

“Wow,” Cara whispered beside Juliet, leaning in a little more than she would have liked. “Paige has a set of lungs on her.”

“Yes, she does. And if you don’t close your mouth and just listen very soon, you’re fired.” Juliet brushed a tear from her cheek, offering a gentle smile in Paige’s direction. Her girlfriend winked at her, and it was in that moment that Juliet wanted to get to her knees and tell Paige she loved her. That she needed her. That…they were going to be amazing together.

But she wouldn’t.

Paige wouldn’t want to hear that neediness from Juliet. It wouldn’t be meant as neediness, but it was surely how it would be perceived.

“Can I take my break?” Cara asked.

“Yes. Go. Take as long as you want.” Juliet didn’t want to hear Cara’s voice for another second. It was all Paige. And Paige it would always be. “And for future reference, you don’t speak to me when Paige is on piano, okay?”

“You two are obsessed with one another.”

No longer willing to entertain Cara, Juliet turned her body and stopped in front of her mediocre bartender. “I don’t know who you think you are or who in the world you think you’re talking to, but if you want to keep this job, you’ll tone down the smart-arse comments. Got it?”

“Whatever.”

“Pardon?” Juliet lifted a brow, fully aware of what Cara had said yet daring her to repeat it.

“I said okay. It’s just…what does she have that I don’t?”

“It’s not about what one or the other has. Paige and I are together. If you don’t like that, the exit sign is illuminated and clear for you to see.” Juliet threw a thumb over her shoulder, directing Cara towards the green exit sign. “The choice is yours, Cara. Don’t let me stop you from leaving.”

“I…need this job.”

“Then I suggest you get on with what you’re employed to do.”

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