Page 105 of Any Kind of Life

Juliet grinned. “But this house would certainly be a nice addition, don’t you think?”

Paige scanned the huge landing, her own smile mirroring Juliet’s. “Yeah. It would.”

“Then I guess it’s time to speak to Andi and find out what needs to be done before someone else snaps it up.” Juliet took Paige’s hand as they turned for the staircase. “I’m not letting this place go.”

“Did you get the same feeling I did when you walked inside?” Paige asked as they reached the hallway.

Juliet knew exactly what feeling she was talking about. Warmth and love. They were the constant overriding feelings here. “I did.”

“Then I think it’s meant to be.”

Juliet held Paige’s chin and drew her into a kiss. The beginning of a new normal was very appealing in Juliet’s mind.

“What do you think?” Andi came through the open bi-folding doors with that ever-present smile waiting for them.

“Well, we’re certainly in love with it.” Juliet wrapped an arm around Paige’s waist, gazing out at the garden behind Andi. “Did you mention our offer to the owners?”

Andi nodded as she guided them to the outdoor furniture. “I did.”

“And…” Paige bounced her leg up and down.

“And they’re happy to accept it.”

Juliet’s eyes widened. While she knew it was wise to get a viewing in before it had been advertised, she hadn’t expected it to be so easy. “You’re fucking with us.”

“I’m really not. The owners are ready to proceed if you and Paige are.”

Juliet looked to Paige with a brow lifted. “Are you ready?”

“I’m ready whenever you are, babe.”

With the greatest sense of love sitting firm in her chest, Juliet squeezed Paige’s hand and turned back to Andi. “Tell them we’re ready to go.”

Epilogue

Six months later…

Juliet sat out on the patio, watching Paige as she frantically rushed around the kitchen. She didn’t know why, everything was prepared and ready, but Paige had become a bit of a perfectionist at home lately. Still, it was just another thing to add to the list for Juliet. Her wife…the perfectionist.

Today marked one month since they’d tied the knot at the local town hall, and this afternoon they were having a small, intimate get together, while showing off their new home. A home Juliet still couldn’t believe belonged to them, and a home she was going to enjoy with Paige for so many years to come.

It hadn’t been something Juliet had considered before the move, but being here gave her a true sense of belonging and commitment. It seemed this fresh start had been unknowingly what she needed. It wasn’t that she’d felt less committed while they lived at the apartment—it would always mean the world to her in some way—but being here was what they both needed.

Neither of them had a past here. There were no memories of a complicated relationship with Rachel before Paige. James and his despicable behaviour rarely crossed their minds, and on the whole, they both just felt far more at peace. Perhaps it was the new start, maybe it was the knowledge that there was nobody out there threatening harm any longer. Juliet didn’t know what that one pinpoint moment was, nor did she care. She just wanted this. A happy home, a wife who adored her, and many plans for the future.

“Right, I think everything is ready.” Paige blew her hair from her face as she turned to Juliet, her cheeks red. “Now I need another shower!”

Juliet reached out a hand. “Come here. Sit down. Breathe for five bloody minutes.”

Paige joined Juliet and took a seat on the patio furniture. She sighed, smiling as she looked around the garden. “Looks perfect, babe.”

Juliet nodded. “Mmhmm. And it’s looked perfect since this morning when we both agreed that everything was ready for this afternoon.”

“I know. I know. But I had to just double-check in case we’d forgotten anything.”

Juliet lifted a brow as she looked in Paige’s direction. “And…had we?”

“No.” Paige wouldn’t admit it, but they had been right earlier. “So, what time are people arriving again?”

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