Page 94 of The Hideout

Juliet laughed. That question could go many ways. “Yes. I have everything.”

“Then let’s go.”

Paige stood out in the hallway while Juliet locked up, looking gorgeous in her fitted jeans and thigh-length black, open shirt. Paige did casual far better than any other woman Juliet knew. “You look really good today, by the way.”

“Thank you.” Paige took Juliet’s hand as they caught the lift going down. She coolly rested back against the mirrored carriage, not letting go. “I feel more like myself here.”

“Good.” Juliet had already noticed very small changes in Paige since James had agreed to the divorce. The fact he’d been arrested had thrown her slightly, but on the whole, Paige’s difference in attitude—even body language—was visible. “You seem different.”

“Yeah? I’m glad you noticed. I wondered if it was just me who saw it.”

“I see everything you are, Paige.” Juliet turned her back on the doors, stopping painfully close to Paige. “And I love every last inch of you.”

“You…” Paige’s eyes closed when Juliet’s breath washed over her lips. “I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

“We found one another when we were supposed to. I firmly believe that.” Juliet had never felt connected to another woman the way she felt connected to Paige. While she may have had that instant attraction, it hadn’t been long at all before she found herself wanting to seek her out at any given opportunity. And then there was Paige’s voice. God, the things it did to Juliet, she couldn’t comprehend. “Do you believe that?”

“I do.” Paige feathered her fingertips along Juliet’s jawline. “I knew the moment I met you that you were special.”

“I’m not special, but I am madly in love with you, Paige.”

Tears brimmed in Paige’s eyes, that smile spreading slowly as their foreheads touched. “Thank you for everything.”

“Anything for you.”

* * *

Paige held the door for Juliet as they left the restaurant, smiling when Juliet leant in and kissed her cheek. It had only been lunch—something they’d done many times together—except everything was different today. Juliet hadn’t let go of Paige’s hand as they strolled through the city; she hadn’t once hinted that they were only friends. In the past, that had been Paige’s experience. Not wanting to appear to0 intimate with other women for fear of someone she knew catching her. But now? Paige hadn’t known how freeing it would feel to hold another woman’s hand in public, but it had been.

“What did you have in mind for the rest of the afternoon?” Juliet sat an arm loosely around Paige’s waist as they walked down towards the dock. “Maybe a cocktail?”

“Yeah. Why not?” The click of Juliet’s heels had Paige beaming as they rushed across the busy street, reminding her how incredibly lucky she was to be in this relationship. “Hey.” She stopped them on the pavement, turning to Juliet. “Thanks for lunch.”

“Anytime.”

Juliet’s bright white smile had Paige’s insides fizzing. It always did. And when Juliet looked at Paige as though she was the be-all and end-all of everything, her old life moved further and further to the back of her mind.

“I love you,” Paige said as she studied Juliet’s eyes, her perfect nose, that flawless skin. “So much.”

“I love you, too.” Juliet placed a hand on Paige’s chest, moving in for a kiss. Paige didn’t decline; she couldn’t possibly. “I’ve been waiting a long time for you, Paige.”

Paige’s brow furrowed as she pulled back. “What do you mean?”

“I always knew or felt as though I was waiting for something special. And you’re it.”

Paige’s cheeks heated as she swallowed, but still, she understood. Perhaps that was what she’d been waiting for too. Maybe, just maybe…Paige hadn’t turned up in Liverpool until she was supposed to. Until Juliet had the bar. Things happened for a reason, and Paige was beginning to wonder if this all came about when it was supposed to. “I think I’ve been waiting for you, too.”

As Juliet’s hand slid to Paige’s, their fingers entwined, Juliet blinked back tears. “You make me so happy. Thank you for being perfect.”

“Juliet! Paige!”

They turned at the sound of a familiar voice. When Rachel hurried towards them as fast as her heels would allow, Paige groaned inwardly. What did this woman want? Hadn’t she shown up enough since Paige had come to Liverpool?

“Hi, Rachel,” Juliet spoke up, squeezing Paige’s hand. “How are you?”

“Good. Busy. How are you both?”

Paige offered her best smile. “Great!”

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