Page 66 of The Hideout

“Then I’m going to do that. Because here, I feel wanted. And needed. And so stupidly happy.”

“I want you to be happy. And I want to be a part of that happiness.”

Paige kissed Juliet, turning and resting against the bar with her. “You’re the reason for my happiness.”

Chapter 20

HOLD ON

*CONTENT WARNING*

Just go home. It’s going to be fine.

Paige had been telling herself that since she’d boarded the seven o’clock train this morning. Juliet had insisted she drop her at the station, but Paige had needed to walk. To clear her mind and to prepare herself for going inside her old home. Paige had briefly considered the idea of James coming back while she was here, but that was just her anxiety trying to get the better of her. Juliet’s guy hadn’t mentioned any sightings of James, and other than a message two weeks ago, Paige hadn’t heard from James at all. Even that message hadn’t been much. Just a simple text to say that he hoped Paige was happy doing whatever she was doing and that he was going to give her space. She hadn’t responded. Mostly because she knew it was just James’ way of striking up a conversation with her. He’d sent the very same message in the past.

She took her phone from her pocket, bringing up Harriet’s number. They should get coffee together while Paige was in Kent. After today, she wouldn’t be returning. Get your things first, then call her. Paige locked her phone and crossed the street. She was just thirty seconds away from stepping through the home she lived in with James. He owned it. She didn’t. He paid the bills. She didn’t. He said what colour scheme they’d have…and Paige would like it.

Breathing a sigh of relief when she found no sign of James’ car, she quickly took her key from the inside pocket of her coat and slid it into the lock. Paige glanced around once or twice, hoping the neighbours didn’t catch sight of her, and then she slipped inside as inconspicuously as she possibly could.

Get your stuff and get out.

She wouldn’t exactly hang around to take anything she didn’t absolutely want or need. Paige didn’t have anything she could put into that category anyway, though. James had always made this place feel cold and uninviting, so it wasn’t hard to detach from this house. As she shoved her key back into her pocket, she heard a noise upstairs. Her heart pounded at the familiar creak of the floorboard on the landing, her mouth dry as she gazed up the stairs.

“P-Paige.”

Oh, God.

It wasn’t James who’d come to greet her. No, it was Harriet wearing nothing but a pair of James’ boxers. Paige turned her back quickly. “I… What the fuck is going on here?” Paige couldn’t care less that Harriet was almost naked—it was the fact she was here at all. Was she house sitting for James? God, Paige hoped so. The thought of Harriet being in bed with James had Paige’s blood running cold. Then the idea that he was here too had tears almost brimming in her eyes.

“Shit. I’m so sorry. Please don’t leave.” Harriet’s voice cracked, but honestly, Paige was beginning to realise that she was relieved by…whatever was going on here. No, she was ecstatic that she had walked in to find Harriet. Because it meant that she wouldn’t be alone with James while she packed up her things if he was here. It also meant James didn’t have a leg to stand on when she had divorce papers sent out to him. “Paige, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you here? Are you…sleeping with him?”

Paige was entirely confused when she heard Harriet sniffle.

“Why did you tell me he was away this weekend?” Was Harriet in on this? No, she couldn’t be. She was just oblivious to the fear Paige felt when she was in this house. “Harriet?”

“You asked if I’d seen him lately. I didn’t want you to think…or know, rather, that this was going on, so I told you he was away.” Harriet’s voice trembled. “I am sorry.”

“Any chance you could put a T-shirt on or something?” Paige slowly turned around, keeping her eyes firmly on the hallway floor. “And then maybe we could talk?”

They wouldn’t talk. Paige had nothing to say. She just needed Harriet not to run out the door before Paige was finished here. Quite frankly, she couldn’t care less about the fact her best friend was sleeping with her husband. Why would she? It made Paige’s life a hell of a lot easier.

“You know, I think I’ll just leave. It’s probably best if I leave.”

Paige looked up at her best friend, no longer interested in the fact she wore practically nothing. “Oh, I don’t think so.”

“Paige, it was a mistake. James loves you.”

“Please, stay. I’m sure we can figure this all out.” Paige really would say anything in this moment. “Everything is fine. Really. I’m not mad at you.”

“You’re not?”

“No. I’ve been a terrible wife lately. I guess I can’t blame him.” Paige’s stomach rolled at those words. She didn’t believe a word that came from her mouth, but Harriet didn’t know the first thing about her marriage with James. She started slowly up the stairs. “Maybe you could make the coffee while I get something I forgot last time I was home?”

“Y-you’re not staying?” Harriet frowned, her arms folded and covering her boobs. “You can’t leave again; it’ll devastate him.”

“What’s going on, babe?” James came from the bedroom, his eyes suddenly wide. “Paige, you’re home.”

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