Page 8 of The Hideout

“How long have you been in Liverpool?”

“Only a week or so. Since I moved on from my last place.” Paige didn’t make eye contact with Juliet. She didn’t want her to ask anything Paige didn’t want to answer.

“So, not many friends around here yet?”

Paige smiled weakly. “None whatsoever.”

“That won’t last long. I’ll make sure of it.” Juliet finished her drink and got to her feet. “Let’s talk tomorrow about what plans I have for this place, okay?”

“Yeah, that sounds great.”

Juliet offered a slight wink. “Goodnight, Paige. Great shift tonight.”

Paige watched Juliet walk away, taken aback by just how beautiful she was. Paige had a long way to go in terms of settling down as her true self, but Juliet was going to make it far too easy to daydream about the future.

It was the hand on her knee, that glint in Juliet’s eye…the looks. Paige knew it was a huge mistake to even consider Juliet for a moment, but for once…someone appreciated her for what she was doing.

That was huge for Paige.

Chapter 3

GRAVITY

Juliet strode down the street, excited for another evening at The Hideout. That was quite sad, really, being excited about work, but Juliet had always been married to the job. She supposed it was good to see some things never changed. Only this time around, she could spend an hour eating lunch without being interrupted. She could call in on friends without her phone dragging her out the door no sooner than she’d sat down.

All in all, The Hideout offered her more of a social life than court cases did.

Her phone pinged in her pocket. It was probably Rachel, but Juliet had no plans to book her this evening. She wanted to watch Paige work, to get a feel for the woman she’d hired. Okay, she wanted to admire her. As she had tried to do last night. Only Rachel didn’t stop talking for one second, and every time Paige came over, or Juliet approached Paige, Rachel wanted to know every last word they’d spoken to one another.

Basically, tonight, she wanted no interruptions.

Because Juliet knew what Rachel was doing last night. She was actively going out of her way to hold Juliet’s attention. While her escort didn’t need to do that ninety percent of the time, she’d made sure of it last night.

Whenever Rachel turned her attention to Juliet, Juliet was busy watching every move Paige made. Paige hadn’t noticed, thankfully, but it didn’t change the fact that Juliet was slightly enamoured by her. She couldn’t put her finger on why, but time would tell. Undoubtedly it would.

Juliet took her phone and unlocked it.

I’ve been asked if I’m available tonight. What should I tell my other client? Rach x

She smiled. Rachel often tried to make her jealous with the knowledge that she had more than Juliet as a client. But Juliet wasn’t the kind of woman who played those games. Rachel was an escort. Juliet would be worried if she didn’t have other clients.

Tell them you’re available and have a great evening. J x

Really? You don’t want me to sit looking pretty with you at your exclusive bar? Rach x

Juliet laughed, stopping on the pavement close to the bar.

I think I can manage. I have some plans to run by Paige anyway so I won’t have much of a chance to spend time with you. J x

But I could sit and watch you. You know I love watching you. Rach x

Wow. Rachel was really trying tonight. Were her other clients not paying her well enough?

Call me if your client is a let down and you’re not having fun. I’ll buy you a drink. J x

Not waiting for a response, Juliet let herself into the bar with her master key. Paige would likely be here already—Juliet got the impression Paige was on the ball when it came to her job—so with a couple of hours to spare before the doors opened, maybe she could run some of those plans by her. While gazing into those greyish eyes. Inconspicuously, of course. Juliet had no idea who this woman was. She couldn’t be certain of Paige’s sexuality, but she had a fairly good idea that she wasn’t entirely wrong in thinking that Paige enjoyed attention…amongst other things…from the ladies.

She frowned as she took the stairs slowly. There was music playing loud down in the bar. While Juliet didn’t mind that exactly when the bar was closed, Paige had no way of knowing if someone unsuspecting was lurking around the building. And if by chance they managed to gain access, Paige would be alone and unaware. She’d have to speak to her about that.

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