Page 90 of Any Kind of Life

Juliet sat down and picked up a menu, trying to ignore the people around who were so rudely watching her. What exactly were they waiting for? Was she supposed to drop dead or something? Ridiculous! She blew out a breath and focused on the wine list. She would need plenty of it if she was going to get through dinner.

“Hi, babe. Sorry I’m late.” Paige appeared out of nowhere, looking as gorgeous as ever. She leaned down and kissed Juliet, lingering as she smiled against her lips. “I missed you.”

“You’ve only been gone a few hours.” Juliet laughed as Paige sat down facing her.

“I know. But we’ve been joined at the hip lately, and maybe I’m just getting used to it.”

Juliet cocked her head. “Poor you.”

“Nope. Quite enjoying it, actually.”

Juliet gave Paige a few minutes to relax, perusing the menu as her stomach growled. It was hard to believe that just days ago, she had very little appetite. It had perked up while she was in hospital, but once she’d been discharged and she was back in the comfort of her own home, it had fallen away again.

“Oh, um…” Paige looked up at Juliet, chewing her lip. “When I was at the salon, my social media started going a bit nuts.”

“Why?”

“When we were out ring shopping the other day and that guy took our picture… Well, it’s reached the media. With an article.”

Juliet slumped in her seat. Now she understood why Paige had wanted to protect her while she was on tour. “Right. I see.”

“It’s…not great, but those sorts of things rarely are. They don’t know us or anything about our relationship. I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m not paying any attention to it.”

“Show it to me.” Juliet looked around the restaurant again. It seemed like they’d never have a nice quiet meal again. “Please.”

Paige handed her phone over, the article open and ready for Juliet. She read through it, scoffing when the article suggested they were ‘dating’. They were far deeper into this than dating. If people were going to write rubbish in papers, they could at least try to get it right.

And then Juliet’s disbelief at the article turned to sadness. “Music fans will be disappointed to know that Paige Ashburn, rising star and exceptional pianist, is dating a woman who made it her career to defend some of the worst criminals the UK has ever seen.” Juliet rarely felt terrible about her choices in life, but seeing this and knowing that people would have an opinion about Paige dating such a person…Juliet felt terrible. For Paige, not herself. She had known what she was getting into when she chose that path. “I’m sorry, Paige.”

Paige, oblivious to how Juliet was feeling, looked up from her menu. “Sorry…for what?”

“Who I am. What I represented. For dragging your name through the papers.”

Paige shrugged. “I’m not really arsed, to be honest, babe. They can write what they want.” Paige lowered her menu and settled a hand over Juliet’s. “I love you. I’m going to marry you. Everything else is just irrelevant and pointless background noise.”

Juliet gazed back at Paige, feeling nothing other than the truth in those words. God, she was one lucky woman. “Do you think people will ever leave us alone after this?”

Paige puffed out her cheeks as the server approached. “I hope so.”

They ordered their food and drink and then returned to their conversation. “You…remember we spoke about moving into something bigger?”

Paige nodded, sitting forward in her seat and smiling. “I do. And I think you may have felt a bit pressured about it all. It’s still something I’d like to consider, but not yet. Let’s get back on our feet with the bar and stuff first. There’s no rush, anyway.”

Juliet had spent the morning thinking about moving. The idea was really beginning to grow on her. After the last couple of months, she wanted to do all the things she and Paige wanted. “I was thinking that maybe I’d speak to Rachel. Tell her that we’ll be in to see Andi at some point. She has a very good eye for what people want.”

“Sounds great. Just…don’t rush it, okay? We’ve both been through a lot recently. I’m just happy to be sitting here with you tonight.”

“Me too.”

“So, listen to this!” Paige suddenly seemed giddy as she sat even further forward in her seat, glancing around to check they were alone in this conversation. “I called Soraya while I was at the salon. She’s up for coming to the bar for Edie’s birthday.”

“Oh. Wow. Edie would love that.”

Pride shone from Paige’s eyes. “I know. What can I say? I know what kids want these days. I’m ‘hip’ or whatever it is they say.”

Juliet laughed, immensely proud to call this woman hers. “You’re great with Edie. I’m not surprised you know how to pull off this party. That kid adores you.”

Paige lifted a shoulder. “Kids are cool. Edie is a sweetheart. But then again, she does have great parents.”

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