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“Nah. Juliet will cover it later.”

“Okay.” Not willing to get into the whole free drinks thing, Paige turned away and cleared the back counter. It was almost midnight, and if she recalled the closing time correctly, it was coming up.

“So, where have you come from, Paige?”

Paige half-turned, groaning internally. Why did Rachel need to ask questions? Had Juliet sent her over to do so? “Down south.”

“Husband and kids in tow?”

“No. Not quite,” Paige said, clearing her throat. The less she gave away, the better. “I’m here in Liverpool alone.”

“Well, you’ve got a friend in me and Juliet. Don’t forget that.”

Paige softened at those words. She wasn’t quite sure about Rachel, but maybe she’d got her wrong. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

Rachel slid from her stool, winking in Paige’s direction. Paige watched her head back towards the low table Juliet sat at, the chairs that were there this morning now replaced with a luxurious black leather couch. She guessed that was going to become Juliet’s ‘spot.’

Paige gathered the few cocktail shakers from behind the bar, some drip trays, and a few other implements and placed them at the end. She would clear away so Juliet could lock up and get gone once the bar closed. She leaned over the opposite end of the bar, catching Juliet’s attention. “Hey, if you need me, I’ll be in the back clearing up.”

Juliet lifted Rachel’s hand from high up her thigh and sat forward. “Would you like some help?”

“No, it’s fine. You stay there. You have company.” Paige would love nothing more than to take Juliet’s attention away from Rachel. Even if only to see the response from Juliet’s ‘friend.’ If Paige had so much as looked at her boss this evening, Rachel was on high alert, taking over the conversation before Juliet had the chance to reply.

Juliet nodded, her huge brown eyes soft. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Really, I’m good.” Paige tapped the bar as she walked away, gathering what she could in her arms.

And then she took off into the back of the bar, thankful for the time alone. Maybe she could deal with James while she had a moment to herself.

Paige looked up at the door, then quickly took her phone from her pocket.

Eleven missed calls…followed by the usual text messages.

Don’t piss me off, Paige!

Delete.

I will find out where you are!

Delete.

Deep breath.

You’ll be sorry when I do! Pack your shit up and come home. Make this easier!

Paige pressed reply on James’ last message. She hated this. She wanted out.

You really think I’m going to come home when you speak to me like that? Or when you treat me the way you do? Why would I? I’ll be back when I’m ready to come back.

She wasn’t going back. Paige just didn’t have the energy to deal with that conversation right now. But the time would come. James would know soon that Paige wouldn’t return home. She rested back against the sink, seeing that her message had been read the moment it went through to James. Her heart thumped that little bit harder, but that was standard in her life. Since she’d met James, anyway.

You’d better hope I don’t find you! Because I am coming, Paige. I’ll bring you home!!!!!

“Oh, fuck off!!” she spat with anger into the silence of the kitchen.

“Everything okay?” Juliet’s voice startled her, and Paige dropped her phone. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Paige reached down for her phone, shaking the tension she felt from her body. “No, it’s fine. And yes, everything is okay.”