Page 95 of Any Kind of Life

Paige leaned down and kissed Juliet. “Anything else before I join you?”

“No. Just you.” Juliet held Paige by the front of her hoodie. “Now sit down. I’m starving.”

Chapter 33

Juliet sat at her usual spot in one of her favourite bistros, watching the door and waiting for Rachel to arrive. Part of her felt terrible for waiting so long to contact her, but Juliet had been coming to terms with everything else. Paige had mentioned that Rachel had stopped by the apartment before Juliet was out of the woods, but there never seemed to be a right time to get in touch with her. Then, there was the fact that Juliet was only just up to meeting people. She was sure Rachel would understand, though.

She straightened herself in her seat when Rachel strode through the door, looking as put together and attractive as ever. Juliet waved her over, coffee already ordered when she arrived, and smiled back at Rachel. “Hi.”

“Don’t ever terrify me like that again!” Rachel stopped at the table, staring down at Juliet with tears in her eyes. “Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?”

“I…sorry?” Juliet wasn’t sure what else to say. She hadn’t intentionally gone out of her way to get stabbed. “It was hardly my fault.”

“And to think it was Cara. That fucking bitch. I’m glad she’s dead!” Rachel pinched the bridge of her nose and took a breath. She lowered her bag to her seat and leaned down, embracing Juliet. “Sorry. I promised myself I wouldn’t get angry about it.”

“It’s okay. Anger is understandable.” Juliet appreciated that people would have all kinds of opinions and reactions to what had happened. Anger seemed to be the majority feeling. “Thank you for checking in on Paige. I really appreciate it.”

“How is she? She looked terrible when I was at the apartment.”

“Much better now. We’ve tackled going back to the bar together, so I think everything will start to pick up now.” Juliet was ready to start prepping Edie’s party fully now. And knowing that Paige had managed to get Soraya on board only made it all the more exciting. “We’re planning a party for Edie. She’s turning sixteen. You and Andi should come along.”

“Yeah. That would be nice.” Rachel smiled when the server brought two coffees to the table, instantly sweetening hers a little. “I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you all. I’ll try harder.”

“Look, if you don’t want to be a part of the friendship group, that’s entirely your own decision. But I want you to know that everyone would love to welcome you and Andi into it.”

“I know.”

“I understand that it probably feels strange, but we’re all friends, and after what happened to me, I want us all to make more of an effort. We never know when the end is coming.”

Rachel lowered her eyes and smiled ever so slightly. “Yeah, I don’t think I ever could have forgiven myself if you hadn’t pulled through.”

“You see? We just never know.” Juliet reached a hand across the table and settled it over Rachel’s. “It’s time for everyone to just enjoy life. And that means you and Andi are welcome at the bar whenever you like. Hannah and Caz spend most weekends there, even if just for a quick drink.”

“I think Andi would really like that. She’s mentioned dropping in a few times now. It’ll be a nice way for her to unwind after work.”

“How is business in the property market?”

Rachel frowned. “It feels a bit weird sitting here talking to you as though nothing has happened, Juliet.”

“No, please. I just need normal. Plain, boring conversation. It helps me to put everything else to the back of my mind.” Juliet didn’t need much from her friends, but normality needed to resume. It was imperative. “I’ve spent enough time talking about what happened, and while I appreciate that this is the first time we’ve met up since then, I just want a normal conversation. So, how is business in the property market?”

Rachel smiled. “Andi is pretty busy at the minute. The market is booming. Everyone seems to be putting their homes up for sale.”

Juliet was about to become one of those people. “Good. That’s great to hear.”

“And…she’s moved back into the loft with me.”

Juliet’s brows rose at that. “That’s amazing news. It sounds like it’s serious between the two of you.”

“Oh, it is.” Rachel wore a smile that was all too familiar to Juliet. It was the very smile she often wore herself. “Andi is amazing, Juliet. I’m so fucking in love with her.”

“It feels good, doesn’t it?” Juliet winked, grateful that everyone could remain friends. “Having that one person who you would do anything for.”

“It really does.”

Juliet squeezed Rachel’s hand. “I’m happy for you. I’m glad things are going your way. You know it never would have been anything serious between you and I, and I’m glad you found Andi.”

“I think the best thing you ever did was let me go as your escort. I needed to take my head out of my arse and see what was happening. It wasn’t healthy for me to be so…sure I wanted to be with you. Not when you didn’t even feel the same way.”

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