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."

"I believe that we met one another when we were both incredibly lonely. I'll never regret the relationship we had with one another; you were there for me during one of the hardest times of my life, but I had to be brutal and cut you off when I did."

"I know." Rachel nodded slowly. "And I'm lucky that you and Paige are as forgiving as you are. Anyone else would have cut me off and never spoken to me again."

"Paige is…" Juliet sighed as she sat back in her seat. "Well, she's going to be my wife soon. I know that much." Juliet lifted her left hand, the one she'd kept in her lap until now, and flashed her engagement ring in Rachel's direction. "I can't believe she even asked me."

"Oh, my God. I'm so happy for you." Rachel held Juliet's hand and inspected the engagement ring. "Life is picking up for us all, isn't it?"

"It is. And I'd like you to let Andi know that we'll be coming in at some point to look at property."

Rachel's brows lifted. "You're moving out of the apartment? You love that place."

"I do love it, but I love my life with Paige more. It's time for us to…go in a different direction, shall we say. The apartment won't always be suitable."

Rachel narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?"

"Right now, I don't quite know. But we spoke about moving somewhere bigger when Paige was on tour. I just think it's the right time to progress." Juliet wouldn't reveal their plans for children to anyone just yet. Partly because she was waiting for it to sink in but mostly because they had to look at clinics and everything else first. Nothing would happen just yet, they wanted to make sure everything was in place before they dared to bring a child into the world, but just knowing it was on the table made Juliet's heart sing.

"I can't believe what's happened so far this year. Paige has been on tour with bloody Soraya, and you… Well, you know." Rachel lowered her eyes. "I'm so happy I'm sitting here with you today."

"Me, too."

"And I promise that Andi and I will be in your lives more. We'll definitely come in for a drink when the bar is open again."

Juliet grinned. "You'll be first on my guest list."

"Okay, now put the strainer over the top of the glass and pour." Paige stood back, resting against the counter with the coffee machine on it. "Don't worry if it seems like it's going to overflow. It's mostly foam at the end."

Henry concentrated, but his hand still shook. "You make it look much easier."

"You're only pouring it into a glass. Don't be so dramatic, H."

Henry finished, grinning in Paige's direction when the espresso martini had the perfect head on it. "Look at that. I'm a natural."

Paige held out her palm and nodded towards it, where three coffee beans sat. "Now you need to drop the coffee beans into the centre of it. Just for decoration. Unless you're into munching on coffee beans during a night out, obviously."

Henry took them and carefully dropped them on top of the foam. Paige could only smile, enjoying this moment with him. Since Juliet's attack, she had seen a completely different side to him. Maybe he was glad that watching their every move was coming to an end. Maybe he was just as fed up and tired of it as Juliet and Paige were.

"Looks great, H." Paige patted him on the shoulder and left the bar. They had decided to come here today for a few hours, effectively easing Paige back into life at The Hideout. "How does it taste?" She checked the seating was where it should be, then glanced over her shoulder. "Henry?"

"Oh, I can't drink it. What if—" He smiled as he trailed off. "Never mind. You or Juliet won't need me. I can actually enjoy a drink, can't I?"

"You can." Paige eyed the stairwell when she heard the door open and close. "And now that the boss is here, I'm sure she'd love to enjoy one with you, too."

Juliet landed in front of Paige. "Hi. I didn't realise you'd be here today. I only got your message as I was walking home."

"Thought I'd give it a go for a few hours." Paige stepped towards Juliet and kissed her. "Good day?"

"Yes." Juliet drew Paige in by the hip, smirking against her mouth. "But it could get better if you and I reacquaint ourselves with the piano bench."

"B-babe." Paige cleared her throat, wanting to die of embarrassment. She cocked her head towards the bar as she said, "Henry's here."

Juliet's eyes widened as she turned to the bar. She surely felt as embarrassed as Paige did. There was no way Henry hadn't heard what she said. "Henry, hi!"

"You alright, Jules?"

"Y-yes. Of course. Been here long?" Juliet strode across the floor and lifted the espresso martini that was waiting. She sipped it, moaning her approval. "Doesn't Paige make the perfect cocktail?"

"I made it." Henry winked, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up his forearms.

"Really?" Juliet turned to Paige for confirmation, surprised when Paige nodded. "Want a job?"

"Um, hang on! You're not giving my job away!" Paige rushed across the floor, arms folded across her chest. " I'm the mixologist."

"Oh, I know you are." Juliet wrapped an arm around Paige's waist. She'd missed moments like this. Juliet's arms always secured Paige in any situation. "But since the other server tried to kill me, we're a member of staff down."

Paige shrugged. "Okay, that's a good point."

"And since she offed herself, poor Henry is out of a job." Juliet turned to Henry again. "How about it, H?"

"Oh, you don't have to employ me. I'm…sure I'll find something else."

Juliet shook her head as she lifted herself onto the stool on the other side of the bar. "No. It's time we all got out of the situations we've been in. You included. You're too much of a nice guy to be getting involved in things you shouldn't be. Stay here with us. We'll see you right."

Henry lowered his head and smiled. "You've done enough for me over the years, Jules. This isn't necessary."

Paige joined them at the bar, standing beside the stool Juliet sat on. "Yes, it is. You're practically family at this point, Henry. Stay here and adjust to a normal life."

Henry looked up at them, his eyes soft. "You know what, I'd love to. I'm tired of always being in contact with the wrong kind of people. I'm fifty-eight, and I just want to go home each night, you know?"

Juliet smiled. "I know."

"So, if you'd like to have me here, then I'd really love that. Something different while not getting into any trouble."

Paige slid an arm around Juliet's waist and rested her head on her shoulder. "See that, babe. It was easier than I thought it would be."

"Mm. Much easier."

"What will I be doing?" Henry eyed the coffee machine briefly. "Don't leave me in charge of that thing. Unless it's a kettle and a jar of instant, I'm fucking hopeless."

Paige laughed at that. She loved this side of Henry. "Don't worry, H. I'll show you the ropes."

For the first time in weeks , Paige felt as though the air was finally clearing. She felt as though life would be great again. Juliet was doing amazing, Henry was going to be a permanent fixture here, and well…she couldn't wait for everything they'd discussed lately when it came to a future with Juliet. Could she have a wife and kids? After everything she had put herself through with James, was it actually going to happen?

Yes. Yes, it was.

"Right. Get out from behind my bar while I make sure everything is where it should be. Once I'm happy, I'll show you where it all belongs and stays, okay?"

Henry looked at Juliet and cocked his head towards Paige. "Is she always this brutal, Jules?"

Juliet held up her hands. "All I'm saying is that you should never get on the wrong side of Paige."