Page 77 of Any Kind of Life
But it was.
Juliet had to believe and understand that.
If she didn’t, she feared she would begin to push people away. Paige, Henry, their friends. That wasn’t an option for Juliet. She needed her support system. Physically, she was doing fantastic, but in her head…life wasn’t as good as she wished it was. Which seemed a little stupid, in all honesty. Juliet had survived, but here she was, moping around.
She slowly sat up, warmed by the ambience in the apartment this afternoon. Paige had gone above and beyond when it came to taking care of her, and as she looked around the open-plan space, it was spotless. Had Juliet really needed so much sleep that she hadn’t even heard Paige cleaning? Perhaps it was time to listen to her body rather than the thoughts running through her mind.
The sound of the piano stopped, and Paige looked back at Juliet. “Hey.”
“Don’t stop on my account,” Juliet said as she rose to her feet. She stretched, groaning as her muscles ached, then moved towards the piano. “I’d sit here listening to you play every hour of the day if I could.”
Paige shifted on the bench, making a little bit of room for Juliet. “Sit down here with me.”
Juliet took a seat and placed her hand on Paige’s thigh. “Thank you.”
“For what, babe?”
Juliet turned to Paige, admiring those beautiful eyes. “For being by my side. For taking all of this in your stride. For making me realise that I’m okay and that I’m safe.”
“I promise you that you’re safe.” Paige lifted Juliet’s hand and kissed it. “Always, okay?”
“And I’ve realised something else since we came home from the hospital, too.” Juliet searched Paige’s face, the softness of her features almost leaving her breathless. “I…realised that the world tour was never your thing. I’m sorry if it seemed as though I was pushing it on you.”
Paige lifted a shoulder. “I kind of understand. Most people would do anything for an opportunity like that. I just have other priorities. I always did.”
“It means so much to me that you make our life here your priority. I…never thought I’d ever matter so much to someone.” Juliet had rarely imagined a future with someone else, let alone to be the number one priority. But she always should have known that Paige would choose this over anything else. It was just who she was. “I accept that this is where you want to be, okay?”
“I know you do. And I think that given everything that’s happened recently, it’s only made us both appreciate what we have here even more than we already did. I can say for sure that I never take a single second for granted now.”
Juliet squeezed Paige’s hand, a tremendous amount of love sitting firm in her chest. “I love you, and I know that here is the right place for you. Our life together, the bar, Liverpool. I’ll never question that again, and quite frankly…if another tour did come up, I’d lock you away before I let you go again.”
Paige laughed. “And that is the correct answer to any hint of a tour moving forward. Because you and I both know that I’d rather be locked away with you than in a different city.”
Juliet lifted her hands and cupped Paige’s face. “This is where you want to be, and this is where I want you to be. If I’ve ever given you the impression that I don’t, I’m so sorry.”
“You haven’t, babe. Don’t worry.”
“I love you, okay?” Juliet drew Paige in, their foreheads touching. “All I want is to wake up beside you for the rest of my life.”
“Consider it done.”
Juliet felt relieved to know that Paige trusted her with their future. Though really, there was never any doubt. From Juliet and what was best for Paige, yes, but those days were over now. All Juliet wanted was a bright and happy future. “I’m not in the right headspace today, but I thought maybe we could stroll around the dock tomorrow. Maybe get some of those pancakes we had the first time together?”
“Count me in. That would be lovely.” Paige lowered the lid over the keys of the piano and relaxed her shoulders. “Fancy a bit of lunch?”
“I’ll take care of that. You’ve done plenty around here while I’ve been sleeping.”
“Sleep is important. It’s what helps you heal.” Paige got to her feet and headed straight for the kitchen. “And I know it’s more of a dinner thing, but we can eat what we want…when we want, right?” Paige watched Juliet from across the room, brow lifted.
“I feel so out of sorts that lunch and dinner are the same thing for me at the moment anyway.” Trying to force herself out of the endless thoughts she had, Juliet followed Paige into the kitchen and lifted herself up onto the counter. No matter what was going on outside this apartment, Juliet was locked away inside and safe. “I will admit that I’m a little bit peckish, though.”
“Good job I got lunch prepped earlier then. Spicy chicken tacos?”
Juliet’s mouth watered at the thought. If these were the days she could have with Paige when she was feeling uncertain about everything, then she really had nothing to worry or complain about. Tacos, comfy clothes, and the TV? Juliet couldn’t wait. “Yes, please.”
“Before I sort lunch out, I’m going to run you a really gorgeous bath. I think you need something to relax you, and I can’t think of anything better.”
God, Juliet could enjoy a steaming hot bath right about now. She cocked her head, smiling back at Paige. “You really are perfect. I hope you know that.”