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“Oh, Paige, I’d love it.”

“Then I’ll be there.” Paige placed a hand over Juliet’s that sat on top of a beer pump. She didn’t know why beer pumps were even installed in the bar. Nobody drank the stuff. “All night. With you.”

“Thank you. Now, get back to Harriet, and I’ll be over soon to catch up while I can.”

“I’d really like that. I want her to know you, you know? I want her to see how proud I am to have you in my life.”

Juliet turned her hand over, lacing their fingers. “I love you.”

Paige’s stomach somersaulted. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to hearing those words come from Juliet. “I love you, too.”

* * *

Juliet stared up at the ceiling, listening to Paige as she pottered about in the bathroom. She’d dreamt of this moment since the morning Paige left for Kent, and now it was happening. Paige would be sleeping safely beside her. If Juliet had realised anything recently, it was that she wanted to protect Paige and keep her safe with every fibre of her being. It didn’t matter if Juliet got hurt; it didn’t matter if Paige fled. She just wanted her to be safe.

She turned her head towards the bathroom door when it opened, smiling at Paige. “You doing okay?”

“Yeah. I’m shattered. I’m glad I decided to stop drinking when I did. Harriet could have gone all night, but she always could drink far more than me.”

Juliet pulled back the cover, watching for any signs of hesitation from Paige. She almost breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t find any. “Come on. Get some sleep.”

Paige slid into bed, unexpectedly moving as close as she possibly could to Juliet. “Thank you for being patient with me.”

“Never thank me for something like that. You’ve been through a lot, and I wanted you to have the space to process your thoughts, your emotions. It’s been a difficult time for you.”

“And you,” Paige whispered, draping an arm across Juliet’s stomach, her head resting on Juliet’s chest. “I know you pretend that you’re okay, but I saw it in your eyes that night at the hotel. I’m sorry I worried you.”

“If I wasn’t worried, I would consider whether I truly loved you.”

Paige stroked a thumb across Juliet’s skin, her stomach muscles contracting as she did so. “Thank you for coming to get me. I know we’ve been over this, but really, I didn’t know what to do for the best.”

“I’ll always be there for you, Paige. If…you want to be with me, that is.” Juliet hated feeling vulnerable like this. She’d never been in this position before, unsure about how to deal with a relationship she was in. Yes, that was quite sad on reflection, but she was here now…as was Paige, and she couldn’t have chosen a better woman to fall in love with. “You do want that, don’t you?”

Paige tilted her head slightly, her eyes flickering shut. “I don’t want to be anywhere else. Only here with you. And The Hideout. That place means a lot to me.”

“It means a lot to me too since you walked through my door. I’m not sure it would be what it is without you. I certainly wouldn’t enjoy being there so much.”

“No?” Paige smiled one of those weary but beautiful smiles. “You really like me being there?”

“I love you being there, Paige. I think we’re going to do very good things with the place.” Juliet dipped her head and kissed Paige’s forehead. “But right now, I want you to just rest and get plenty of sleep. The bar isn’t going anywhere, nor am I, so I want you to take your time and only come back when you’re ready to.”

“I want to come back as soon as I can. I hate sitting around.”

Juliet slid further down the bed, making herself comfortable as she wrapped Paige up against her. “You’ll know when you’re truly ready. Until then, I want to see you in nothing more than your sweats while you lounge around here looking gorgeous.”

“Goodnight, Juliet.”

With a sense of love sitting in her chest, Juliet flicked the switch to the side of her, sending the bedroom into total darkness. She smiled, inhaling Paige’s scent, and whispered, “Goodnight, baby.”

Chapter 28

XO

“Good morning, beautiful.”

Paige smiled against her pillow, a gentle arm carefully draped over her hip. “Mornin’.”

“Coffee?” Juliet asked, her voice husky and soft. That arm remained in place, the warmth of Juliet’s body keeping Paige anchored.