Chapter 1

The smallest sliver of light shone through the side of the curtain, just the sound of Juliet's soft breathing greeting Paige with the early morning sun. They'd fallen into bed at two-thirty this morning—the bar growing busier as each month passed—but Paige wouldn't wish to be anywhere else. This life…was the stuff of dreams.

She slowly rolled over, a lazy smile spread on her mouth when Juliet stared back at her. Neither of them said anything. Their hands found one another's, and the silence remained. These were the moments Paige lived for. Lying beside the woman she loved, no immediate rush to get out of bed, the stillness carefully waking them.

Juliet was Paige's everything.

"Coffee, babe?"

Juliet shifted closer, nuzzling into Paige's chest. She didn't speak, but words were rarely needed in the morning. Juliet wanted to be held; it was that simple. Paige smoothed a palm up and down her back, kissing Juliet's hair. If she could bottle up this feeling for the moments when they were apart, Paige would be set for life.

"I don't want to let you go." Juliet sniffled, gripping Paige against her. "I hate it when you have to go."

Ah. Paige had wondered when Juliet's ‘meltdown' would kick in. "It's only a month in this country this time, babe."

"A day is too long! Never mind a bloody month."

"And you have plenty to keep you busy." Paige shifted further down the bed, lying nose-to-nose with Juliet. " And I don't leave for another week."

"I've been trying to prepare myself. That's impossible, though."

"Hey," Paige whispered, bringing her hand to Juliet's cheek. She knew this day would arrive, but she hadn't expected it with a week to go. "I'm not far away this time. Just in different cities. If you want me to travel home each night, you know I'll do that for you."

"No. This is all about the experience for you. I'd never ask you to do that for me. It'll be too much for you. You need to rest when you can."

"You haven't asked. I've offered. You and I both know I'd rather wake up like this…with you…every morning. Not in some stuffy hotel room on my own."

Paige hadn't expected the phone call five months ago from the agent of a well-established musician. She'd initially thought it was Hannah and Caz playing games. That was until the contract arrived via courier. Paige was officially the supporting act for one of the fastest-selling artists of the last decade.

"Are you sure you don't want to join her on the second leg of her European tour? I know how much you enjoyed it last time."

Paige trailed her thumb across Juliet's bottom lip. She had enjoyed the European leg, Juliet was right, but there was a reason she had told Soraya she couldn't continue once it had finished. The reason being the woman in her arms right now. "I have too much going on here. Soraya understands, and she's looking for another support act for when the UK leg is over. I'm just glad to be a part of it at all."

"I'm so proud of you, Paige." Juliet's sadness turned to that ever-present pride that shone from her eyes. "I know you were in two minds about whether to do it, but I'm so proud of you for taking that step and focusing on your dreams."

"I wouldn't have done it without your support. You know that." Paige untangled herself from Juliet, climbing from the bed. She pulled a hoodie on and moved towards the bedroom door. Paige turned and grinned. Juliet was watching her, wearing a pair of Paige's boxer shorts. "I'm making us coffee and then we're continuing this conversation."

Juliet stretched in the bed, arching her back. Paige knew what she was doing, she was teasing as she always did, but they really needed caffeine if this day was going to be remotely successful.

"Stop that. We have to meet the builders at the bar in a few hours."

Juliet sat up on her elbows, narrowing her eyes. "Are you telling me you can't satisfy me in those few hours?"

Paige snorted. "Babe, I could satisfy you in the next twenty seconds." She loved the adoring gaze Juliet always watched her with. The very gaze she had in this moment. "Do you want something to eat too, or are we going to get something on the way to the bar?"

"Just coffee for me."

Paige slipped out of the bedroom, heading straight for the coffee machine. Once the beans started to grind, she braced her hands against the counter and lowered her head on her shoulders. She hated leaving Juliet for any period of time. While Paige's ex-husband, James, no longer interfered with Paige's life, Juliet's personal security guy, Henry, still had eyes on this apartment and the bar. The threat to Juliet had never been called off, and they were wise to still watch their backs. Juliet more so than Paige. But they came as a pair now, so if the threat was still there for Juliet, it was also there for Paige. The people Juliet had found herself tangled up with didn't care if a significant other had nothing to do with their supposed ‘war'. They threatened anything they could. But that was the life of the criminal underworld. Anyone was fair game.

If Paige could have encouraged Juliet to travel with her, to be a part of the incredible experiences she'd had so far, it would make life much easier. It would also help with Paige's terrible sleeping pattern while she lay alone in a hotel or on a tour bus she was unfamiliar with. Regardless of the fact that Paige wanted to be here , this tour was another opportunity she couldn't turn down. People were already talking incessantly about her sets on social media. The jump from three thousand Instagram followers to a not-too-shabby thirty-seven thousand followers had shown her the potential future she could have. If she stuck with Soraya, Paige could really go places.

But is that really what you want? Paige thought, swallowing hard. The European tour had been more than enough for her. While people craved fame, Paige didn't. Perhaps if she'd been single, it could have been a different story, but Paige simply missed Juliet too much. That was what this all came down to.

She carried their coffees through to the bedroom, slipping beneath the cover when Juliet reached out for her cup. The room fell silent again, but Paige knew Juliet struggled with being apart. Paige did, too.

"So…"

Juliet turned her head to Paige as she sat up against the headboard. "Don't worry about me. I'm just being dramatic."

"I wouldn't want you any other way." Paige leaned in and kissed Juliet's nose. "But…are you sure you can't join me for a night or two? I can get you into the venues, no problem."

"You know I'd love to, but I should probably be around for the builders in case anything goes wrong."

The Hideout had become so successful that Juliet had purchased the empty building next door. She planned to begin renovation work next week by knocking through the wall to create a much bigger space. It would still be small in comparison to a lot of bars in the area, but they'd consulted with the members, and they'd all agreed that the cosy feel to the place was what encouraged them to keep paying their membership fee.

"You know I'll be waiting with bated breath for the band's social media guy to upload your performances."

Paige smiled. "I know. I just wish you could be there with me. You're the one who told me I could do this, and you haven't watched me perform live yet. You're the only person I wish could be there."

"And one day I will be." Juliet slid her hand beneath the cover, resting it on Paige's thigh. "But you're right. It's only a month. And you'll be in this country, so it won't feel like such a huge distance."

While Paige loved performing in different places each night, she wasn't sure she was cut out for being away for long periods of time. A couple of weeks she could have done with no problem, but another month-long stint was going to be a struggle. She and Juliet had just found a routine and got comfortable. It was all Paige wanted most nights when she was on tour—to be home and cosy—but she was often expected to make an appearance at the bar Soraya had summoned everyone to. Instead of toasting to another great night, she would rather lie between Juliet's legs while she was drinking hot chocolate.

"And then I'm all yours again."

Juliet wiped down the bar, satisfied that everything was in its place for this evening. She wasn't working tonight, neither was Paige, but she liked to check everything was as it should be before she left the bar in Cara and Stephen's hands. Stephen had joined The Hideout two months ago, and so far, he was an excellent addition to the team here.

Cara had decided to start pulling her weight, too. Really, everything was going far better than Juliet imagined it would. So tonight, they were spending the evening with their friends. Paige and Hannah had become close friends, and Juliet had spent the odd evening drinking wine with Caz.

As she rested back against the bar, she could only smile. It was one thing to have Paige in her life, but to have built some kind of miniature extended family… It said a lot about how their friends perceived them. Life was thrilling. There really wasn't much else to say.

The system alerted Juliet that she had people waiting outside. As she brought up the camera—still wary about James' decision to let Paige be—she saw Hannah and Caz grinning into the lens. Part of her wanted to leave them standing outside just for the sake of it, but she knew better because Hannah would have plenty to say about it if she did.

So she buzzed them into the building.

Before they reached the bar, Juliet heard them giggling with one another. That was another thing she adored in her life. Seeing happy couples just like her and Paige. People who would do anything for their partner. Hannah and Caz reminded Juliet of exactly that. An all-encompassing love that couldn't be broken.

"You pretending to work?" Hannah sidled up to the bar and smirked. "I'll have two large glasses of red, a bowl of pork scratchings, and a bag of salt and vinegar crisps."

Juliet's brow rose. "What kind of place do you think this is?"

"Well, clearly not a place to come to if you're a bit peckish!"

Juliet rounded the bar and brought Hannah and Caz into a hug. "It's really good to see you both. Paige will be out soon. She's on a call with Soraya."

"Okay, well, I'm using the loo." Hannah sashayed away, winking in Caz's direction as she went.

"So, she's on a call with Soraya, huh?" Caz shifted closer to Juliet, nudging her shoulder. "Things are getting a bit serious now, aren't they? Edie has done nothing but talk about Paige and Soraya for the last few days."

"Mm. It's going very well by the looks of it." Juliet was proud of Paige for all she'd achieved in such a short time, but the slight worry of being left behind sat at the back of her mind. "I hope Edie is saying good things." Of course Hannah's daughter would be saying good things. Edie was adorable.

"She's obsessed , Juliet. She had us listening to a playlist she'd created this morning before she left for school."

"That's quite sweet," Juliet said, moving back behind the bar. "Paige is…leaving again next week. She had a call from Soraya a few days ago. The support act replacing Paige for the UK tour can no longer commit." Juliet cleared her throat. "It's short notice and another month away from home, but it'll be fine."

"That's amazing news for Paige. You must be so proud of her."

"I am. Of course I am."

Caz watched Juliet intently. "But?"

"But…nothing." Juliet wasn't ready to speak her fears out loud yet. Honestly, she hoped she'd never have to divulge how she felt. "It just feels a bit strange when she leaves for the tour, that's all."

"I get that. You two are so close that it must feel odd sleeping alone at night."

Caz wasn't wrong. Juliet was dreading the first night of the tour being back in the UK. Soraya was a looker, and they'd already had one instance of the media assuming she and Paige were dating. The fans were relentless, too. Thankfully, Paige was quick to shut down those rumours, but it didn't help Juliet in her quest to focus on work while Paige was away.

"It's the media I'm not fond of." Okay, it seemed Juliet was going to let some of her fears out to Caz. But she knew she could trust Hannah's partner. "You know what they can be like."

"Mm. May I suggest that you avoid social media and newspapers when she leaves again? We both know they're nothing more than clickbait and crap most of the time."

Juliet offered the best smile she could manage. "I know."

"Juliet," Caz said, following her behind the bar. She glanced around, checking nobody was listening, and cleared her throat. "You're not worried about Paige and her loyalty to you, are you?"

"God, no. Never."

"Because it's okay to be a little bit worried. Maybe if you tell Paige how you're feeling, you won't look so tormented by it."

Juliet's face fell. "I…it's that obvious?"

"I wouldn't say it was obvious, but I can see that you have things on your mind." Caz placed a gentle hand on Juliet's shoulder, squeezing it. "You know where I am if you need to talk, okay?"

"Thank you."

"Are we getting this party started or what?" They both turned to find Hannah and Paige standing with their arms over one another's shoulders. "Paige said she'll take requests later."

Juliet's brows rose at that. "Paige is supposed to be resting her voice."

"Don't worry, babe. It's only one song. If I can't sing for the people who mean the world to me, then what's the point of all of this?"

Juliet softened, holding out her hand to Paige. When Paige took it and stepped closer, she lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed Juliet softly on the lips.

"Just one, okay? I don't want you doing too much." Juliet brought her hand to Paige's cheek, stroking her thumb across her skin. "I love you."

"Not as much as I love you."

Hannah yawned. "Okay, enough of the love in. I haven't had a night out in forever. I'd really love that glass of wine now." She took Caz's hand and moved towards Juliet and Paige's spot, sinking down onto the couch. "And I want to know what the builders have said."

"The builders gave us a great quote." Paige walked Juliet backwards and out from behind the bar, shooing her away. "It's your night off, babe. Sit down, and I'll bring the drinks over. Once Cara is here, I'm all yours."

God, this woman was everything she could ever want or need. "Promise?"

"That I'll join you?" Paige frowned. "Of course."

"No. That you're all mine. Forever."

Paige pulled Juliet in by the waist, her hand slipping to her arse. "You really want me to promise you that? Do my hands not tell you that already?"

Juliet offered Paige a chaste kiss, smiling as she pulled away. "Relax. I'm joking." As she sat down beside Caz, Juliet chanced a look behind her. Paige was still watching her, that frown not shifting. "Come on, bartender. We're all parched over here."

Paige's frown quickly turned into that dirty grin Juliet adored. "Coming right up. Anything for you lot."