Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
“Talk to me about Dawn.” Angelica leaned against the front reception desk and stared Melissa down. She managed to get most of her information from Melissa, not Ali, which was a shift in the way she’d thought everything would go.
“Dawn?” Melissa frowned and continued to click away at her computer. “She’s part of the family.”
Angelica clenched her jaw tightly. She hadn’t expected that response. What she was looking for was something more material. Was she good at her job? Did she have the skills to actually run a kitchen? But every time she asked Melissa for information, she had to drag it out of her.
“What’s her experience in kitchens?”
Melissa flicked her gaze up to Angelica and shook her head. “She worked in a kitchen for twelve years before we hired her.”
“Twelve years? Doing what?” Hope had implied in a late-night conversation after the kitchen had been cleaned out that Dawn hadn’t had chef experience.
“When she was inside.”
“Inside?” Angelica furrowed her brow, tapping her fingers on the top of the reception desk. When Melissa didn’t immediately answer, it hit Angelica exactly what she wasn’t saying. “You mean prison?”
“Yes.”
Angelica bit her lip. They were going to have to handle the way they talked about this very carefully. “And you hired her because of that experience?”
“She had twelve years working in a kitchen.”
Angelica sighed heavily. Yes, Dawn had experience working in a kitchen, but it wasn’t a high-end kitchen, and she certainly hadn’t been in charge. And, as much as Angelica hated to admit it, the standards in a kitchen in prison and one outside of prison were vastly different.
“What kind of training has she had beyond that?”
“None.” Melissa turned back to the computer and flicked through something on it.
Angelica cringed. Why was this such a struggle?
It was a hotel outside their normal range of income, not high-end at all, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t fix it.
Angelica pressed her fingers into the top of the counter.
“I’d like you to meet with the site manager who’s going to be working on the renovation of the rooms this afternoon.
We’ll start with the upper floors and work our way down. And then we’ll overhaul this area.”
“I can do the work,” Melissa shot back, a glare in her gaze.
“I’m sure you can.” Angelica treaded carefully. “But to get it done in a week is a big job. Why not take the help when you can get it?”
“Because I’m not stupid, and I know how to do my job.”
Angelica’s chest constricted. “No one’s calling you stupid, Melissa.
In fact, I think quite the opposite.” Melissa managed to run a construction business perfectly fine without help.
It was the hotel side of things that she struggled with, which probably came down to hospitality.
That wasn’t something Melissa seemed particularly adept at, and probably why she’d partnered with Ali.
The problem was, Ali was nowhere to be seen.
She really only showed up toward the tail end of the day to collect Melissa and head on home.
“I don’t need to be patronized.”
“Are you defensive about everything someone says?” Angelica squared her shoulders.
“Not once have I insulted you and yet you seem to think everything I say is an insult. Melissa, I think you’ve done amazingly well with what you’ve had and the knowledge you have.
But you haven’t had the training to run a hotel.
It’s not a construction business. You can’t just order people around and make them work long hours.
Think about it like this. A construction site has strict rules, right?
You have to follow regulations, safety precautions, you have to have inspections and more, right? ”
“Yeah?”
“So does a kitchen. So does a reception area, and housekeeping. You have none of that. And not because you don’t know how to do it, but I don’t think you thought that you needed it here.
The standards have to be just as high here.
” Angelica shook her head in disbelief. “Do you hear what I’m saying?
You’re not stupid. You’re just ill-equipped, and all I’m trying to do is give you the skills and knowledge that you need to make Harbour Inn thrive. ”
Melissa held her breath. Angelica counted to three and was just about to speak again when Melissa dropped her chin in a nod. “All right. Teach me.”
“Good.”
“And cut!” Rex clapped his hands loudly. “That was fantastic, Ange!”
Angelica blew out a breath, leaning heavily on the counter to hold herself up.
She had nearly forgotten that there were cameras surrounding them, that people from all over the world would be tuning in and watching what she’d just said.
Because she hadn’t done it for the views.
She’d done it because Melissa needed to hear it.
Her knees were weak, and she felt like she was going to fall over. Surely it was just because of adrenaline that conversation had required from her. She straightened herself and focused on Rex, but her skin was clammy. She felt like she was going to pass out.
“I need you to go have that chat with Hope.”
“What?” Angelica breathed heavily, looking up and finding Josef’s dark eyes staring at her. She had to blink three times just to focus on him.
“Talk to Hope about Dawn.”
Angelica breathed slowly, loosening her grip on the counter as she found her feet again. She felt steady enough to let go after a few more seconds, though her knees were still jelly. “Why would I talk to Hope about Dawn?”
“Because she’s part of the kitchens.” Josef shook his head in bewilderment. “Because it’ll add to the drama.”
There was the Josef she’d come to know. The one always concerned about drama and ratings.
Angelica pursed her lips and nodded. She really didn’t want to talk to Hope, but it was better to be in Hope’s presence than his.
She still hadn’t gotten over the end of last season and the shit he’d pulled then.
Angelica said nothing as she walked out of the main lobby area and into the small hallway that connected the hotel building to the restaurant.
That awkward connection was a problem that she hadn’t quite figured out how to resolve yet.
It was one she probably needed to talk to Hope about, but she hadn’t wanted to do that either.
Hope was sitting at one of the larger tables with Dawn and the one other kitchen staff member.
Angelica couldn’t for the life of her remember the man’s name.
Her brain hadn’t been working well lately.
They had papers strewn out in front of them, and everyone had their heads bent as if they were studying.
Angelica cleared her throat to get Hope’s attention. Cadence noticed and came over while Hope continued to talk.
“Did you need something?”
“Josef sent me down to have a conversation with Hope, one I’m sure he wants on the record.” Angelica pointed at Hope. “Is she busy?”
“She can probably take a break from that. Hope?” Cadence turned to Hope, beckoning her over with a wave of her hand.
So much had changed since their first season of filming.
Never would they have managed such easy communication with Kyle in the mix, and while last season had been slightly better, sometimes having a woman in charge was exactly what they needed.
Angelica crossed her arms over her belly and held herself tightly.
Hope seemed concerned when she walked toward them. She’d have no idea why they were there, but Angelica didn’t want to fight. She simply didn’t have the energy for it.
“Is something wrong?” Hope asked.
Angelica shook her head. “Josef wanted me to have an on-screen conversation with you about Dawn.”
“All right?” Hope looked confused. “About what?”
“About her lack of experience.”
Hope snorted lightly. “Well, that’s an obvious one.”
Angelica shrugged slightly. “Want to do it now?” Why did she sound so breathy? Her head was close to spinning, too. She clenched her fists tightly, digging her nails into her palms to keep herself upright and focused.
“Sure.” Hope nodded toward Cadence. “You got this?”
“Yeah.”
It hadn’t taken long for Hope and Cadence to find a rhythm to their filming.
Rex had been right about pairing them together for the season.
Angelica, however, was still struggling when it came to working with Hope.
Though she anticipated it wouldn’t be that way through the entire season, because every time she looked at Hope, she couldn’t help but hear her voice.
You’re not worth it.
Angelica’s heart pattered rapidly, and that clamminess came over her again. “Can we talk in the kitchen? Away from… ears.”
“Sure.” Hope led the way, pushing open the door.
The kitchen reeked of chemicals, and it was overpowering. Angelica blinked wildly as she stepped inside and shook her head. “Wow, does it smell clean in here.”
“Ali and Dawn cleared everything out and then Dawn and Toby spent most of this morning scrubbing it top to bottom. Under all the grease and grime, the kitchen’s not in half bad shape.” Hope stopped right by one of the prep counters and leaned against it. “What did you need to talk about?”
“Oh um…” Angelica blinked again, her head spinning. The scent was overwhelming, and it was making it so much harder to concentrate.
“Ange?” Concern filtered through Hope’s voice.
“I’m here to talk about Dawn.” Angelica blinked hard, but her vision kept swimming. “She uh… she doesn’t have a lot of experience…” Angelica stopped talking and took a deep breath. Maybe she hadn’t gotten herself together since she’d left reception. Maybe—
“Ange!” Hope’s hand was around her waist and pulled her close. “What’s going on?”
Angelica shook her head. “I’m just dizzy. The smell in here…”
“Come on. Sit down.” Hope moved with her, pulling Angelica toward a small table just outside of the kitchen.
Angelica could barely see anything because her vision was just filled with dark spots. Hope pressed a hand against Angelica’s cheek and clucked her tongue. The sound was so loud.
“Cadence, go get me some cold water for her.” Hope’s voice was strong, pulsating through Angelica’s head.
“I-I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not,” Hope muttered. “Be honest, remember?”
Angelica swallowed and nodded. She closed her eyes and put her hands against the table. It was cold. She used the temperature to center herself. Hope was right. Something was wrong. Hope’s fingers were against her wrist, cold and firm.
“I’m going to ask you a question, and I need you to be honest and not offended.”
“All right,” Angelica whispered, but she still couldn’t see anything.
“When’s the last time you ate something?”
Angelica shook her head, her eyes springing with tears. “I honestly can’t remember.”
“Today?”
“No,” Angelica answered, biting her lip. “Coffee.”
“That doesn’t count,” Hope answered, pushing her fingers harder into Angelica’s wrist. “Yesterday?”
Angelica frowned as she thought through everything they’d done yesterday from filming introductions to background meetings. Lyric had handed her some food, but she hadn’t eaten it. “Just coffee.”
“The day before that?” Hope sounded deeply concerned now.
“Yes, some breakfast.”
“Jesus, Ange.” Hope let go of her wrist. “Thanks, Cadence. Drink this. Now.”
Angelica lifted the cold glass to her lips and sipped it. It felt good going down her throat, but it didn’t help her rapid heart rate either. But the good news was, she could see again. Though looking at Hope’s concern was probably worse than not seeing it.
“I’m fine,” Angelica whispered, wanting only Hope to hear her.
“You’re not, and I can’t in good conscience cook you anything to eat right now.
I have no food in the kitchen.” Hope bit her lower lip.
She was crouched down next to Angelica, her fingers still curled around Angelica’s wrist. “Keep drinking the water, because we’re going down the street to get some food in a minute, and I need to make sure that you can make it there. ”
“That’s really not necessary.”
“Oh. It is.” Hope clenched her jaw.
Angelica had no doubt that she wasn’t going to budge on this one, but she hated being an invalid. And she hated being the center of attention more than anything.
“Cadence, we’re breaking from filming for a bit.” Hope shifted, pulling the microphone pack from behind her back and setting it on the table. She beckoned Angelica to lean forward, and did this same with hers.
Cadence sat next to them and looked directly at Angelica. “I thought you two actually hated each other after being on set with you the last few days.”
Angelica blinked, not quite sure where to go with that. She flicked her gaze to Hope. Her brain wasn’t working well enough to come up with any sort of answer.
“We do hate each other,” Hope answered, not moving her eyes from Angelica’s. Those crystalline balls held more pain than truth in them. “And on occasion, we don’t. For the last two years, we’re the only ones who have had each other’s backs. And I suppose that doesn’t stop in season three.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Angelica swallowed down the bile that rose in her throat, though it wasn’t because of how she was feeling physically.
It was because Hope had such raw honesty in her statement.
Angelica had nearly forgotten all about that.
She couldn’t stop the smile that reached her lips when she looked at Hope this time.
The distant memory of how they’d started coming back full force.
“So, we’re going to get dinner, and then we’re going to have this conversation that you’re insisting on.” Hope looked from Angelica to Cadence.
“Josef is insisting,” Angelica corrected.
“Right.” Hope frowned. She let go of Angelica’s hand.
Angelica missed that touch, but when she looked up to meet Cadence’s gaze, she was surprised by the understanding and curiosity that she found there.
She’d forgotten just how astute and observant Cadence could be.
Clearing her throat, Angelica drank more of the cold water and let it settle in her belly. She needed to be more careful.
They both did.