Chapter 13

"You must be looking forward to Paige finishing the tour. She doesn't have much longer now, does she?" Henry smiled as he took a cup of coffee from Juliet. "Thanks."

"Not long at all. But it'll still feel like forever. It usually does." Juliet motioned towards the couch, sighing as she sunk down into it. Henry joined her. He didn't usually come up to the apartment, Juliet could count on one hand the number of times she had invited him up here, but he was good company. "And the bar is almost finished."

"Yeah, I called in a couple of days ago. I know the plans didn't look like much of an extension, but the extra space really makes a difference, don't you think?"

"Oh, absolutely. I think Paige is going to be surprised by just how much more room we have. And if she wants to reposition her piano, she can. There's more than enough room to change things around."

Henry shrugged. "I don't know. I think the piano is in the perfect position. Kind of like it's there, but it's out of the way."

"Something Paige prefers," Juliet said, smiling at the thought of seeing her behind the piano again soon. "I hope the extension hasn't affected the acoustics. They were perfect as they were."

"Paige will figure it out. She knows how she wants things." Henry sipped his coffee and then placed the cup down on a side table. "You haven't done much while she's been gone. Unless you've been sneaking out and I haven't noticed."

Juliet hadn't done much because there wasn't much to do. It was the reason she had bought The Hideout last year. To keep her occupied. With Paige away and the bar being worked on, Juliet was bored to tears. "Don't worry. You'd know if I'd gone out." She crossed her legs and cleared her throat. "I've been thinking. I'm not sure you need to sit around all hours of the day anymore. Nothing has seemed out of the ordinary, and I'm beginning to wonder if that threat was nothing more than a scare." So much time had passed since Juliet had been told to watch her every move that it surely wasn't still likely to happen now.

Henry shifted, seemingly uncomfortable. "I don't know. I'm not sure I like that idea."

"It's just a thought."

"Mm. It's something I'd have to think about. I'm not comfortable leaving you with no security."

Juliet appreciated that. She was grateful for everything Henry had done since she quit law. Still, she did believe that she was safe. Surely, someone would have done something by now if they wanted to. She had been out of her career for almost two years. "Maybe we could trial it."

"Maybe I'll just keep doing my job. You're free to pretend I'm not around, but I'd prefer to keep doing what I've been doing. Just in case, you know?"

Juliet nodded as her phone started to ring. Paige's name was displayed on the screen. She held up a finger and answered the call. "Hi."

"Hi, babe. How are you?"

Much improved now she had heard Paige's voice. "I'm good. Just having coffee with Henry."

"Oh! Say hi to him for me."

"I will. Are you travelling today?" Juliet looked towards the window, sighing. "The weather seems nice, so I hope it's the same wherever you are."

"We've been travelling since this morning. I've just checked into my hotel close to the venue, and I was wondering what plans you have for the day?"

"Nothing planned. Maybe I'll do some cleaning, even though I did that yesterday…and the day before."

Paige laughed. "Or maybe you could get into the car and drive to Manchester. I only have a soundcheck to go, so maybe we could have lunch together…"

Juliet grinned, wanting to rush down to her car immediately. "I'd love to. What time?"

"Whenever you get here, really. The sooner, the better, so I can spend more time with you."

Juliet rose to her feet and took her coffee cup to the sink. "Let me make myself look presentable, and then I'll be there. Give me an hour or so, depending on traffic."

"No problem, babe. I'll text you the address of the restaurant, okay?"

"Perfect. I'll see you soon."

Paige sighed. "You will. Drive safe. I love you."

"I love you, too." Juliet ended the call and turned to Henry. "So, I have an unexpected lunch date. Sorry to cut this short, but Paige has a soundcheck at some point, and I'd like to get there before she gets called away again."

Henry held up his hands. "Don't worry about it. You have to take whatever you can get. I'll follow you."

"No, you don't need to do that. I'll be okay."

Henry narrowed his eyes. "Jules?—"

"Please. Let's just see how things go. I'll be in my car and then at a packed restaurant. I'm almost certain whoever sent that threat has found far more important things to take care of."

"Okay, well, I'll have my phone just in case you need anything. If you see anything that looks off, you call me."

"I will." Juliet rushed towards the bedroom door. "You'll be okay seeing yourself out?"

Henry took his cup into the kitchen and placed it in the sink next to Juliet's. "Absolutely. Send me a text when you're back, and I'll be outside."

Instead of arguing with Henry about all of this guarding, Juliet simply nodded and closed her bedroom door. She did believe she was far safer now than she had been when she retired from law, but she also understood Henry's discomfort on the matter. Still, it wasn't important right now. She had a girlfriend to get to, and she planned to get there soon.

Maybe you could sneak an overnight bag into the car…

Paige paced back and forth, scanning the street for any signs of Juliet's car. Part of her had expected Juliet to be unavailable—The Hideout was really taking shape, and things were moving at a much faster pace—but she was coming. Paige would see her in mere moments, and she couldn't wait.

She eyed the time on her phone, puffing out her cheeks. Should she call and see what the hold-up was? Should she check for any roadworks on the traffic app? As she unlocked her phone, a familiar car pulled up in front of her. Paige beamed a smile, unable to take her eyes off Juliet as she cut the engine and exited her car.

"Well, this is a lovely surprise," Juliet's headlights flashed as she locked her car and leant in to kiss Paige. "I wasn't expecting a call from you, but I'm very happy to see you."

"You have my schedule. You knew I'd be in Manchester." For someone who was dedicated to lists and planners, Juliet didn't seem to keep up to date with where Paige was in the country.

With an arm wrapped around Paige's waist, Juliet guided them to a seat outside the restaurant Paige had chosen. "I do. But I've stopped looking at it."

"Why?" Paige frowned as they took a seat.

"Because then I can't be tempted to drive to whatever city you're playing in. I didn't want to distract you in any way at all."

Paige lifted a brow at that. While she understood that Juliet was busy, that didn't mean Paige wouldn't love to see her spontaneously. Honestly, it was all she wanted. Any second she could steal with Juliet…she would take. "You know you're welcome to distract me whenever you feel like it."

"Thank you for calling me. I was feeling a little bit lost this morning because I can't be at the bar. I'm not sure I'd even get through the door with the number of workmen there. I even had Henry over for coffee." Juliet reached her hand across the table, settling it over Paige's. "How long are you here for?"

"In Manchester? Until tomorrow afternoon. Well, around midday." Midday was the latest they could leave, but she would be spending the night in Manchester no matter what happened. And if she was lucky, Juliet would be here with her, too.

Juliet smiled. "That's nice."

"I have something to give to you." Paige reached inside her jacket and took out an envelope. She knew this was all short notice, but Juliet was only fifty minutes from home. It wasn't as though she was at the other end of the country. She handed it over and waited.

Juliet hooked her finger under the lip, apprehension written all over her face. "What is it?"

"Just open it, and you'll see."

Juliet slid the paper from the envelope, looking back up at Paige as she grinned. "This is for me? For tonight?"

Paige nodded. "Yep. Please say you can make it."

"Of course I can. You know I'd love to be there." Juliet beckoned Paige closer, landing a kiss on her lips. God, she missed everything about this woman. Even just being at a table with her was enough to remind Paige of everything she had back in Liverpool. This kind of love, the look in Juliet's eyes, there was no mistaking how they felt about one another. "Thank you. I can't wait."

"You'll be coming in with me. Soundcheck and whatnot."

"Oh, Paige. I'm really looking forward to it." Juliet relaxed her shoulders, smiling when a server came over to them. "Could we have a few more minutes?"

"Sure. I'll come back." He smiled and left the table.

Juliet looked back down at the ticket, shaking her head as she smiled. Paige could only watch her, appreciate the moments she had with Juliet, while reminding herself how incredibly lucky she was. "You okay, babe?"

"Yes. Of course. I just wasn't expecting this."

"I know it's kind of spur of the moment, but I really wanted to see you. I wouldn't have had much time to get home later and then back here by midday. So, I thought, why not bring you here instead?"

"Perfect. All of you is perfect." Juliet reached out a hand and touched Paige's cheek. "And we don't have long to go, so this will definitely help me to deal with what time I have left without you."

"You don't have any idea how much I'm looking forward to unpacking and just lying in our bed. The more hotels I stay at, the more I'm counting down the days."

Juliet shifted her seat closer and brought Paige's hand into her lap. "Can I…stay with you tonight? It may just make the hotel bed bearable."

Paige smirked as she squeezed Juliet's hand. "I think that's a very good idea. I knew I invited you along for a reason."

"And I don't know, maybe room service in the morning? Breakfast in bed?"

Paige couldn't think of a better way to start the day. Especially with the knowledge that she would have to leave Juliet behind again . "Yes. Until I have no choice but to check out, I want to lie in bed with you."

"This day is turning out to be quite something."

"While we're having lunch, I want updates on the bar."

Juliet waved a hand as she picked up the menus and handed one to Paige. "Never mind the bar. This day is all about you and me."

Juliet stood in the middle of the main floor at the venue, every emotion washing through her as Paige effortlessly stroked the keys beneath her fingers. She hadn't known what to expect when it came to a soundcheck, but God, Paige sounded just as beautiful without the lights and the crowd. Actually, Juliet would go so far as to say that Paige sounded better without the bells and whistles.

But wasn't this the version of Paige she had fallen in love with? The rawness of her voice, the intimacy of their gaze when their eyes met. Juliet would always prefer it when Paige was singing only to her. For her. There was something quite special about these moments. It had been a long time since Juliet had felt that swell of emotion in her chest, but this afternoon, it was absolutely present. It was a feeling she had longed for since Paige left the second time around. Her piano sat silent at home, and that wasn't something Juliet was used to anymore.

As she brushed a tear from her jaw, she felt a presence beside her.

"Isn't she amazing?"

Soraya didn't need to question Juliet on that. It was a silly thing to say. "She is. I've said it for a long time now. There was a time when she didn't believe it."

"Looks like she took your advice since she's up there doing what she loves."

As Juliet looked to Soraya, she tried to size her up inconspicuously.

"Maybe you could convince her to do the world tour once I've finalised details." Soraya cocked her head towards the sound equipment cases, perching herself on one and offering Juliet the other. "I'm sure she will listen to you rather than me."

"You've asked her about continuing?" Juliet knew Soraya had, but she wanted to know Paige's response before she carried on with this conversation.

"I've brought it up a few times now."

"And Paige doesn't see a future in touring?" Juliet asked, trying to keep the conversation as light as possible. When Soraya nodded, Juliet simply shrugged. "Then I'm not going to talk her into anything she doesn't want."

Soraya managed a slight laugh. "What you're saying is…you don't want her to continue. And I get that—she's your partner. But don't you want her to be happy? Doing what she loves?"

"I have no issues at all with Paige touring if that's what she wants to do. But I'm not going to push her into something that doesn't mean as much to her as we believe it does. I see the look in her eyes when she's up there with the piano; I also see the same look back at our bar when she's serenading our regulars. Whatever Paige is happy with, I'm happy with."

"You can't honestly say that she'll be happy performing to a small group of people after getting a taste of this…"

Juliet looked to Paige again, her heart so full it could burst. "Paige will make the right decision for herself. That's all I have to say on the matter."

Soraya sighed as Paige's song came to an end. "Well, I just hope neither of you come to regret any of this."

As Soraya got to her feet and turned to Paige, Juliet followed. "Excuse me?"

"All of this. If Paige realises what she's losing by choosing you over her career, then I don't hold out much hope for your future together."

Juliet desperately tried to bite her tongue, but it was a struggle. Soraya had no idea what either of them wanted, and she never would. Who the fuck was this woman to make a comment on their relationship? "You may be used to getting your own way when you throw a diva strop, but you can back the fuck off if you think you have any right to an opinion on my relationship with Paige." Juliet stepped closer, her chin jutted. "You're way out of line."

"I've seen it time and time again. I've had several support acts in relationships…only to see them end when their partner can't commit to that kind of life. Sad but true."

"Maybe if you stopped meddling in people's lives, they wouldn't have found themselves in that position." Juliet scoffed as she caught Paige out of the corner of her eye. She was leaving the stage. "Paige is free to do whatever she wants with her life. Neither you nor I have any right to decide that for her."

Soraya held up her hands and took a step back. "Okay. Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you." Soraya turned and walked away, not bothering to acknowledge Paige as she approached.

"How was that, babe?" Paige leant in and kissed below Juliet's ear. "I know it's probably boring for you to be standing around, but was it at least okay?"

Juliet pushed Soraya from her mind and gave her full attention to Paige. "You were amazing. As always. It's nice to have these moments with you after so long without."

Paige took Juliet by the hand and cocked her head towards the exit. "Come on. Let's get backstage where I can be alone with you."

Now that was something Juliet would enjoy.

Alone time with Paige.