Page 81 of Any Kind of Life

Laughter rang out around the apartment. Paige’s face hurt from laughing, Juliet had tears streaming down her face, and Paige was certain Caz had choked on a grape a few moments ago. Of course she claimed she hadn’t, but the red face gave her away.

“I can’t believe you didn’t think to move the things out of the drawer before they came to take the mattress.” Juliet laughed again, almost spewing red wine down the front of Paige’s white hoodie. “What was in there?”

Hannah groaned and placed her head in her hands. “Everything.”

“No. I want a list. This is fucking brilliant!” Juliet waved a hand, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. “If you’re going to tell me there was just a pair of fluffy handcuffs in there, I’ll be disappointed.”

“No, they were leather,” Caz said, cutting in as she squeezed Hannah’s thigh.

“Fine.” Hannah threw herself back against the couch. “Nipple clamps. A twelve-inch dildo, the harness for said fucking dildo, and a flog!”

Caz cleared her throat. “Um, there was a riding crop in there, too.”

“Oh, MY GOD!” Juliet burst out laughing all over again, Paige’s hand held tight in her own. “Baby, this is absolutely one to remember.”

“You think?” Paige’s eyes widened. “I’m just surprised by how fucking kinky our closest friends are.” Paige eyed Hannah and winked. “And they had the cheek to call you dominant when we were there for dinner before I left for the tour.”

Juliet refilled her wine glass and tipped it towards Hannah and Caz. “So, come on. Who wears the harness in this relationship?”

“Never mind that.” Paige cut in. “I want to know what the poor guy delivering the new mattress had to say about it.”

“He didn’t say anything, thank God. But there was no way he didn’t see it all. It was just there—you couldn’t not see it.” Hannah ran a hand through her hair. “But whatever. At least people know we have a healthy sex life.”

Juliet turned to Paige and grinned. “It sounds like you and I need to up our game.”

Paige was up for anything Juliet wanted to explore. She always would be. But that could wait until they were even in a position to get handsy again. Right now, it was the last thing on Paige’s mind. Juliet was going through a serious recovery. “You’ve got it, babe.”

“Right. I’m getting us more snacks.” Caz got to her feet and looked down at Hannah. “And you can help me.”

They left the living room area, and Paige turned to Juliet. “Hey, about before.”

“You mean the bar?” Juliet lifted a brow, tipsy from the wine consumed so far.

“Yeah. Uh, are you sure it’s a good idea? You know I support whatever you decide, but Edie’s birthday is literally a few weeks away.”

Juliet lifted a shoulder. “It’ll be fine. I have to go back there eventually.”

“I know that. I just don’t want you to push yourself if you’re not ready, that’s all.” Paige squeezed Juliet’s hand. “You’re not even sleeping properly, babe. The moment you walk into that bar, things could come back.”

“I’m sure they will. When they do, I’ll deal with it then.”

Paige sighed. She may as well speak to a brick wall about this. “Fine.”

“I understand what you’re saying, Paige. I really do. But I want to get on with my life. That’s not going to happen if you keep trying to convince me it’s not the right time.”

Ouch. That stung.

Paige hadn’t been trying to convince Juliet when it came to anything. She just wanted her to do whatever was best for herself. But what did Paige know? She wasn’t inside Juliet’s mind. “Right. I see.”

“It’ll be okay.” Juliet looked pointedly at Paige.

Figuring that she would just mind her own business in the future, Paige let go of Juliet’s hand and got to her feet. “I’ll give the girls a hand with the snacks.”

“Hey.” Juliet caught Paige’s hand as she tried to walk away. “I do appreciate what you’re saying.”

All Paige could offer was a smile. She didn’t want to fall out with Juliet. “Sure.” Paige wandered into the kitchen, smiling at Caz as she stepped past her. She glanced over her shoulder and cleared her throat once Caz had sat back down. “Need a hand?”

“Oh, no. Go and sit down with Juliet. I can get the rest.” Hannah looked up at Paige, her eyes narrowed. “Unless this is your way of needing to talk?”

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