Page 24 of Any Kind of Life
Paige slid her phone into the top pocket of her open shirt, heading straight for Soraya’s table. She didn’t make it a habit to eat unhealthy food, but this afternoon, she needed something that would soak up whatever was going on in her stomach.
“Well, well, well. What time do you call this?” Soraya grinned, pulling out a chair. “Feeling rough?”
“Tired more than anything. I don’t do four in the morning very well. The latest is two-ish at a push, and I’m usually sober even then.”
Soraya laughed. “You need to get out more. You had so much fun last night.”
“Did I? It doesn’t feel like I did.” Paige sunk back in her seat, wishing she had woken up sober with Juliet this morning. Snuggled and warm in their bed. “Have you all eaten?”
“No. We were waiting for you. We’ve ordered a few platters and some other bits. Is that good with you, or did you want to order something else?”
Paige folded her arms across her chest. “A platter is great.”
“Are…you going to remove your sunglasses?” Soraya leaned in towards Paige’s ear. “Anyone would think you had something to hide.”
“My head hurts, and my eyes are like pissholes in the snow.” Paige glanced at Soraya, wondering how the hell she looked fine this afternoon. “Do you not get hangovers? You look like you’ve just been to the salon.”
Soraya shrugged, her blonde hair glistening as the sun caught it through the window. “I think you look gorgeous. Don’t worry about it.”
“Okay, now you’re just talking shit.” Paige scoffed, shaking her head. “I came back on tour like you asked; you don’t have to butter me up anymore.”
“Who said I was buttering you up? I can appreciate someone’s beauty when I see it, can’t I?”
Huh. Paige guessed so. “Fine. But you’re still talking shit. I look like I haven’t slept in a week. And now you expect me to slip into some fancy gown and serenade your crowd for you.”
Soraya placed a hand on Paige’s shoulder, squeezing it. “Relax. You look great. You sound amazing. And anyone who is lucky to see you live knows it.”
Paige puffed out her chest, smiling. She’d had her ego stroked; now she just needed to hear the one voice she was missing. “Well, thanks. I appreciate that.”
“I’m thinking of changing my set up a tiny bit.” Soraya picked at a piece of bread roll on her side plate, one knee up to her chest. “I saw a few fans on social media asking if we would do a duet. While I think it’s a great idea, I wanted to ask you first.”
“Duet…with you? Like, during your show?”
“Sure. I can move a few things around.”
Paige would love to be a part of Soraya’s show, but tonight? She wasn’t sure it was a good idea. In all honesty, Paige didn’t plan to stay until the end of the night. She was hoping to catch a song or two and then go back to her hotel, where she could relax and recharge fully. “I’d really love to, but does it have to be tonight? If I’m going to have an opportunity like that, I’d rather be fully on my game.”
“Tomorrow then?” Soraya asked, taking her glass of water from the table and watching Paige over the rim.
“Tomorrow. Definitely. I can prepare myself better if I have a little more time.”
“Okay, well, I’m looking forward to it. I know the fans are, too. Some of them are wild on social media.”
Paige’s phone started to ring in her pocket. She yanked it out, thrilled to see Juliet’s name displayed on the screen. “Hold that for a minute. I need to take this call.” She rushed away from the table and landed outside, grinning when she picked up. “Hi, babe. So sorry I missed you before.”
“That’s okay. I was showering.”
God, it was so good hearing Juliet’s voice. “How are you? Are you relaxing while you have no work to do?”
“Trying to, yes.”
Paige perched herself on the wall outside. “Please tell me you haven’t been at the bar. The place is full of dust and crap.”
“I was there last night for an hour, but I haven’t been there today. I thought I’d stay home instead.”
Paige sighed. “God, I wish I was there with you. I feel so tired today, and all I want is a cuddle from you.”
“Mm. That’ll be the very late night you had.”