Page 20 of Any Kind of Life
Paige locked her phone, hoping Hannah would accept what she’d said. Hadn’t she told people repeatedly that she had no plans to continue on any tour Soraya may or may not announce? Hadn’t she explained her reasons for being here…for not wanting to live the life of a musician?
She shook her head and turned back to the coffee machine. Seemed she would need extra caffeine before she even thought about beginning her day.
“You don’t know how good it is to see you home, Paige.”
Juliet’s tired voice floated through the air. It sent the hairs on the back of Paige’s neck upright. Nothing would ever feel as good. She turned, smiling at Juliet. “Feels really good to be home, babe.”
“I didn’t realise how much sleep I needed.” Juliet strode barefoot across the apartment, taking a cup of coffee as Paige handed it over. “Thank you.”
“I’m here now. And I want you to take care of yourself. That includes sleeping properly when I’m not here.” Paige pulled Juliet to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “You have to take care of yourself for me. I hate knowing you’re not sleeping.”
“I’ll be okay. I’m just not used to being here alone anymore.” Juliet rested her head on Paige’s shoulder, reaching around her and lowering her cup to the counter. “I’m not thinking about it while you’re back. I just want to enjoy any moments I can have with you.”
“Me too, babe.” Paige lowered her head and kissed Juliet’s hair. She lingered, inhaling that scent, and smiled. “I can’t believe you thought I didn’t want to see you.”
“I know. I was just being dramatic. It doesn’t happen often, and it won’t happen again.”
“If that’s how you felt, I’m sorry. I just wanted to surprise you. I should have thought about it and been mindful of the fact you were feeling a little down.” Paige never wanted Juliet to have those thoughts. All she ever wanted was to be at home, loving this woman in her arms. “If we have another break in the schedule, and it’s possible, I’ll tell you I’m coming home beforehand.”
Juliet drew back, that look of love shining in her eyes. “It was a lovely surprise.”
“Really?” Paige wrinkled her nose. “It didn’t feel that way when you walked through the door crying.”
“It was. I wouldn’t lie to you.” Juliet unravelled herself from Paige and took her coffee towards her reading seat in the window. “It’s a shame you couldn’t be at dinner with us last night. Hannah and Caz would have loved to see you.”
“I know. But the earliest train I could get meant I wouldn’t have made it. There are a few rail replacements on at the minute, so I had to take the bus for part of the journey.”
Juliet looked over at Paige from her seat. “You should have said. I would have picked you up from wherever you were travelling from.”
“Nah. We weren’t too far outside of London. It made sense to get the train instead of expecting you to travel to get me.” Paige finished her second coffee of the morning and crossed the apartment. She sat down on the window seat facing Juliet, her elbows perched on her knees. “I’m here, I made it, and that’s that.”
A lazy smile spread on Juliet’s lips as she lowered her reading glasses over her eyes. “Anything you want to do today?”
“Nothing in particular. I thought I’d go out and get some groceries in, then cook dinner for us.” Paige took the book Juliet was about to open from her hands. When Juliet looked up at her, frowning, Paige lifted a brow. “Are we okay?”
“Of course.” Juliet sat forward, taking Paige’s hands. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
“I don’t know. Something just feels off. But if you’re sure, I’ll leave it at that.”
Juliet dragged a hand through her hair. “I think I’m just surprised that you’re home. That’s all. But you and I are more than okay. I promise you.”
That was good enough for Paige. Perhaps she was just having her own doubts about being away. Still…not long to go. “Okay. I’m going to get dressed and go out for those ingredients. Then I’m locking us in here for the rest of the day.”
Juliet beckoned Paige closer with a curl of the finger. She smiled into a kiss, a hand wrapped around the back of Paige’s neck. “It sounds like the perfect day to me. Don’t be too long.”
Juliet dried her hands on a towel, folding it and placing it to the side of the empty worktop space. Paige was putting the condiments away, their place was tidy after dinner, and Juliet was full in every way possible. Mostly full of love, though. She hadn’t realised how much she needed this time with Paige, but from the moment she had stepped through the door last night, she didn’t want to let her go again. She would have to, she understood that, but it didn’t mean she had to like it.
“How’s the bar coming along?” Paige turned away from the cupboard and pulled herself up onto the counter. “I can’t even remember the plans now. I’m dying to see the progress.”
Juliet shook her head and approached Paige, standing between her legs. “You know I’m not going to show you the progress. I want it to be a surprise.”
“I know. But I can still try to get my own way. It’s not illegal.”
Juliet stroked her palms up and down Paige’s thighs. She looked so good being at home, just a T-shirt and shorts getting in the way of everything Juliet craved. “Thank you for dinner. It was great.”
Paige narrowed her eyes. “That was one hell of a pivot.”
“It’s the lawyer in me,” Juliet said, lifting a shoulder as she beckoned Paige closer and stole a kiss. “And just because I’m not going to change my mind.”