Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
Leanne’s giggle, which used to be infectious, was anything but. Now it just grated on Angelica’s nerves. She sat in the chair while Rex and Cadence reset so they could do a second take. She hated to admit it, but that shower, while embarrassing and tedious, had done her so much good.
Not just by washing her skin and her hair.
But the connection that she and Hope had throughout it, the edges of pain they’d skirted around but started to mend.
“Here.” Hope’s voice was gentle as she slid a mug of coffee into Angelica’s hand.
“Thank you.” Angelica took the coffee, flicking her gaze up to Hope in a curious glance. Hope had left awkwardly last night, but it still felt better between them than it had since they’d started filming this season. Angelica couldn’t explain it more than that.
“All right, we’re set to go again.” Cadence’s voice reached Angelica’s ears, and she took another sip of her coffee before Hope stole it away again.
Angelica couldn’t wait until she could move around more normally.
She pulled herself to standing and moved with her scooter exactly where Cadence had wanted her.
She held onto the scooter as Hope stood next to her, closer than she had in days, and it felt so good.
She sent Hope a smile that faltered when Leanne came to stand next to them.
If ever there was a third wheel…
Angelica breathed out, plastering on the smile that she needed. One of the techs came over and switched out Angelica’s scooter for a low stool so they could get a wider shot of them. It was all in the magic, wasn’t it? Holding her breath, Angelica prepared herself for this next take.
“Everyone set!” Cadence backed away, keeping her gaze locked on Angelica as if double checking that she was okay.
Angelica nodded at her slightly. She felt unsteady on only one foot and the stool, but Hope was right there if she needed to grab hold of her. Hell, Leanne was too, not that she wanted to do that.
“Action!”
“I’m Angelica Shields.”
“And I’m Chef Hope Lawrence.”
Angelica looked to Hope and grinned brightly at her. “And we’re in Boston this week, at The Godfrey, an upscale hotel that has been slowly withering into the abyss for the last year since owner Ashlee Trapp took over.”
Hope jumped into the conversation. “Not only are there problems with room service and guest relations—”
“But there are problems with effective management and communication,” Angelica finished for Hope. “In fact, there are so many small issues that we had to bring in help for the week.”
Angelica’s heart clenched at that line. She’d wanted to cut it the moment she’d read the script, but Josef had refused and Rex had convinced her that it’d be a good idea to not antagonize him in that way.
“I’m Leanne Coates, and for five years, I was Angelica’s right-hand woman.”
Angelica’s stomach churned. She flicked her gaze to Hope, wondering if that made as much of an impact on her. Because the implication there was egregious, and Josef knew it when he’d handed the script over.
“I know the ins and outs of how she works, and together, we’re going to tackle this problem hotel and turn this disaster into a masterpiece.” Leanne finished with a stunning grin.
“Maybe not a masterpiece,” Angelica said, the line she’d memorized earlier that morning rolling off her tongue with no effort at all. “But at least a well-oiled machine, so that guests will know exactly what they’re getting when they arrive for their stay.”
“We’re here for one week.” Hope put her hands out in front of her, focusing her gaze on the camera. “And we don’t plan on leaving until the work is done.”
That was a lie, and they all knew it. While they’d done what they could in a week and resolved some of the issues, the bigger problem was still Ashlee.
She wasn’t prepared for them to leave, and she wouldn’t be.
She needed more training than anyone could give her in a week.
Though Angelica had recognized a bit of promise in the meek girl.
Perhaps she wasn’t completely inept when it came to management.
“Cut!” Cadence called.
Angelica’s knee released, and her entire body jerked. Hope’s hands were at her back and on her arm in an instant, helping her to turn around and sit on the stool instead of kneeling on it. Leanne looked Angelica over and shook her head with a sigh.
“This is probably the most boring part of filming so far,” Leanne said.
Angelica hummed, and while she agreed, she wasn’t going to say it out loud.
The introduction to the location and the exit sequences were some of the most important parts of the show.
Even if they were the most scripted. She squeezed Hope’s hand to let her know that she was all right and then rested on the stool.
She might be able to put weight on her foot next week, but she had no doubt that just walking was going to exhaust her.
She’d probably have to bring the damn knee scooter with her for the next couple of weeks until she had her strength back.
Once again, Hope was pressing her coffee mug into her hand. Angelica sipped it.
Angelica caught sight of Ashlee standing in the background with her arms crossed as she observed everything happening. Angelica waved her closer as soon as she caught Ashlee’s attention. Ashlee came closer, squatting down so that they were closer to eye level.
“I wanted to make you a proposal,” Angelica said, bringing her mug to her lips again. “And I wanted to do it with cameras off and give you the option if you wanted to film it or not.”
“Okay?” Ashlee’s brow furrowed in curiosity.
“I’m willing to provide oversight here for three months with your assistance while you spend three months in Los Angeles training with my hotel manager there.
Matthias has been working with me for almost two years and is well-versed in methods and practices.
You’ll still have to do the bulk of the work here, but he can be a resource to help you. ”
“Leanne can’t train me?” Ashlee frowned.
“Leanne doesn’t work for my hotels anymore.
” And for good reason, beyond their breakup, Leanne needed to move on.
They’d both known that. “I can’t tell her what to do or what not to do when it comes to training, and this is outside of the show.
I won’t pay you a salary while I train you, but I will make sure that when you’re done with the three months, you know exactly what you’re doing and have the resources to lead. ”
Ashlee’s lips parted like she was going to answer, but Angelica interrupted her.
“Think about it and get back to me by the end of the day, all right?”
“I don’t have to think about it.” Ashlee bit her lip, looking at Leanne. “She said that you wouldn’t help me, but you are. I almost can’t believe it.”
“Leanne said that?”
Ashlee nodded.
“Well, Leanne is only here because of my car accident. So what do you want, Ashlee?”
“I want the help.”
“Good.” Angelica’s lips quirked upward. “Do you want to make the rest of the world aware of what we’re planning?”
Ashlee nodded again, this time more confidently. “Of course. You’re nothing like what people told me, and they need to see that side of you.”
Angelica’s fingers tightened around her mug, that age old pain of perceptions plaguing her. “Good. I’ll let Rex know so he can film something. I’ll expect you to be in Los Angeles by the end of next week.”
“N-next week?”
“Yes.” Angelica pursed her lips. “Training starts immediately.”
“Okay. I’ll be there.”
Angelica nodded sharply, and Ashlee skittered away.
Hope bent down, her lips pulling upward into a smile. She had a hand on Angelica’s knee, and that pesky thumb was rubbing secret circles into the side of her leg again. “You really should show your soft side more often.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea for anyone,” Angelica murmured as she took another sip of her coffee. “Thank you for the coffee, by the way. I mean it. Hobbling around is taking all the energy I have lately.”
“I’ve been there before, although I was in my late teens.”
Angelica scoffed. “Try it after you’re through middle age and into menopause. It’s way worse.”
Hope’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “They want us to change clothes to shoot the exit.”
Sighing, Angelica wrinkled her nose. “I suppose that makes sense.”
“They’ll want us to change again before you and I film the exit for Maine.” Hope tightened her grip on Angelica’s knee. “Do let me know if you want help with that.”
Angelica paused, her cheeks heating. She looked around the room furtively to see who was paying attention. “Hope.”
“Just an offer.” Hope winked.
As Hope walked away, Angelica couldn’t take her eyes off her back, the way she confidently walked across the room, the lines of her body, the way she moved. She pursed her lips, a half-smile cocked and ready to fully bloom.
Until…
“I haven’t seen you look at a woman like that since me.”
Angelica drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“And lessons were learned. I’d like to remind you, Leanne, that no one here is aware of our previous relationship, and if you’d like to keep it that way—which I suggest you do so that people don’t think the worst of you—then I’d be careful what you say in a room full of people. ”
“Ange, I didn’t mean anything by it.” Leanne sighed and ran her fingers nervously through her hair. “I don’t… It’s hard to come in here when everything is already so established. I feel like an intruder.”
Because you are…
Angelica wanted to say those words, but she held them back. Hope returned, a small plate of cheese and crackers in her hand.
“I’ll bring lunch up when we finish this next round of takes.”
Hope had been doting on Angelica since she had shown up in Boston. Meals every time Angelica sat down, kind words here and there, tender touches.
“I wanted to thank you for that letter of recommendation, even if I didn’t get the job.”
That’d be a first. Angelica had sent several letters of recommendation for Leanne in the last couple of years, and she’d never heard a thank-you once. In fact, the first time she’d sent one, she’d felt compelled to do it based on their previous relationship.
Leanne bit her lip and sent Angelica a sweet look, one that was meant to manipulate her into doing something that Leanne wanted. “When we’re done filming in Vermont, I won’t have a job to go back to.”
“And do you think I just hand out jobs as if I have them at the ready?” Angelica raised her eyebrows in Leanne’s direction.
“You just offered Ashlee—”
“Training, without pay, for three months.” Angelica canted her head to the side, giving Leanne a hard, direct stare. “You quit, Leanne. Two years ago. And I’m not inclined to hire you back.”
“But we make such a good team—”
“Team means working cooperatively together.” Hope stepped in, resting her hand on the top of Angelica’s shoulder, standing by her side no matter what. “Which I think is still a lesson you need to learn, especially based on observation of this last week.”
Leanne swallowed hard, her gaze flicking back and forth between Angelica and Hope.
“Ange doesn’t need to pay for people to give her attention or for people to back her up. Some people do that freely out of care and love.” Hope tightened her grip on Angelica’s shoulder.
“And I’m far more discerning now about who I let into my life than I used to be.” Angelica said that to Leanne, but she immediately turned to look at Hope, who stared down at her. Their lips pulled into a smile, Angelica’s eyes twinkling with excitement. Hope understood what she wasn’t saying.
“Ange told me one time that nothing good can start with broken trust.” Hope moved her chin up so she was focused on Leanne.
“And she was right. I should have listened to her then, but I didn’t.
And now, I’m experiencing the consequences of my actions.
All of us need to be more careful about what we say and do when in the presence of others.
Because the ripple effects we have on others can be quite painful. ”
Angelica’s heart thudded hard. She only had eyes for Hope, for the pain and pure honesty she had in her gaze. She reached up to touch Hope’s hand, but Hope had already moved away.
“You’ll have to excuse me. Ansel’s calling for my costume change.” Hope wiggled her eyebrows, but the light wasn’t there in the joke.
Frozen to her seat, Angelica watched as Hope walked off.
Whatever had happened in the last few months, Hope had changed. She wasn’t the same selfish person that she’d been before, and Angelica desperately wanted to get to know this person even more. When she looked back at Leanne, she widened her eyes and sighed.
“Ansel’s probably ready for me as well.” Popping a square of cheese between her lips, Angelica handed the plate to Leanne and stood up. “Thanks for taking care of that.”
Sliding her knee into the scooter, she pushed herself toward the door. She reached the hallway and paused. Hope was already gone, able to move much more quickly than Angelica at this point. But all Angelica could think about was threading her fingers through Hope’s hair and kissing her senseless.
“Ms. Shields?” Lyric asked. “Did you need something?”
“Oh, uh…” Angelica’s cheeks heated with embarrassment. She’d been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t even noticed Lyric standing right there. “No, thank you. When do we leave for Vermont?”
“In the morning. It’ll take us about three or four hours, depending on traffic, to get there.”
“All right.” Angelica nodded. “Thank you.”
A day of rest would do her good, because she really needed to think before she acted.
Kissing Hope now would only bring up all those painful feelings she didn’t want to experience again. And she wasn’t the impulsive one of the two of them. Though Hope had shown considerable restraint lately, and that in and of itself was only adding to Angelica’s attraction.
Not that she’d ever admit that out loud to anyone.
Or even to herself.