Page 79 of The Hideout

Juliet sniffled, shaking her head. “Thanks, but you didn’t have to do that.”

“I can’t sit here looking at the walls. If I keep busy and moving, I don’t hurt so much.”

“How are you feeling today?”

Wow, that was one hell of a question. How was Paige feeling? She wasn’t sure she could answer that. But she’d try. Juliet deserved that at least. “Like an idiot for ever thinking I’d be safe to go back there.”

Juliet remained at the opposite end of the island.

“And I know, I know you warned me, but please don’t give me the ‘I told you so’ speech.”

“I would never.” Juliet frowned.

“But I’m sure you’re thinking it. You’d have every right to be.”

“Actually, I’m thinking about you. How you’re feeling, if you’re in pain, and whether you need anything. I haven’t once thought that it was your own fault for going back. What he did to you is solely on him, Paige.”

“But I walked right into it. I’m a fucking idiot. It makes no difference how we look at it.”

Juliet sighed, dragging a hand through her hair. Paige couldn’t help but notice how dressed down she was; still, she looked beautiful. “What’s this?” Juliet lifted the piece of paper next to Paige’s laptop. And then it sunk in. “You’ve already decided where you’re going?”

“Possibly. I’m undecided between Spain and the Netherlands.”

“Both are beautiful.” Juliet’s voice broke as she regarded Paige with an indecisive smile. And then her eyes met Paige’s. “You’re sure this is what you want?”

“I think it’s the safest option for me. And you.”

“Me?”

“I don’t want him to hurt you, too. That’s probably played more of a part in my decision to go than anything else.”

Juliet crossed the kitchen, stopping in front of Paige. She knew how much Juliet wanted to hold her, to be with her, but why put one another through the pain of that? Juliet lay a gentle hand over Paige’s that pressed against the counter. “Paige, I’m only going to say this once, and what you do with that is your own decision.” Juliet exhaled a breath and closed her eyes briefly. “If you’re only going because you’re worried about me, don’t be. I want you to be here with me, you know that, so please…if you think that maybe you see a future with me, consider staying. Or coming back.”

“Coming back?”

“Yes. I…had a little guidance from a friend at the bar. And they were right in what they said. That you need time and space. Believe me when I say that I can give you all the time and space you need. If you need to go so you can clear your head, I get that. But I’ll be here waiting for you. Ready to love you when the time is right for you. Forget about me and what I want, but know that I’m always going to be right here.” Juliet took Paige’s hand, stroking her thumb across her knuckles. “Because I am ready, Paige. God, I’m so ready to love you.”

Paige chewed her bottom lip, tears sitting on her eyelids. She turned her hand and laced her fingers with Juliet’s, kissing her skin. “You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, but you don’t need this shit in your life. Nobody does. Why choose someone like me when you can have the entire pick of women out there? Why bother to get tangled up in all of this, something even I don’t want to be a part of, just for me?”

“Because I love you.”

“Love isn’t always enough, Juliet. When he comes through that door one day, and he will, when he hurts you…you won’t love me then. You’ll despise me. And you’d have every right to.”

“He’s not coming, Paige.”

Paige scoffed. How the hell could Juliet possibly know what James was capable of? She didn’t know him, she hadn’t lived with him, he hadn’t beaten her unconscious…yet.

“Juliet, I have to go. I’m sorry.”

Paige’s phone vibrated on the counter, thankfully ending this conversation. Paige hated seeing that sadness in Juliet’s eyes. She hated knowing that a woman so strong was close to falling apart because of her. Paige wasn’t worth the tears. Not really.

I’ll sign divorce papers.

Paige stumbled back, her phone clattering to the marble, and brought a hand to her mouth.

“Paige, what is it?”

And then Juliet’s phone started to ring in her pocket. She glanced at the screen, answering the call, only this time, it was on loudspeaker. “Henry, hi.”

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