Page 107 of Culinary Chaos

“Ange did,” Hope said. “In the conference room that we’ve been using.”

“Thank God.” He looked fully relieved, which was good. That was the man that Angelica had come to know, the compassionate one. And she was glad that he was still in there somewhere. He looked from Hope to Angelica. “Why are you wet?”

“Uh…” Angelica flicked her gaze to Hope. “I went looking for Eva outside for a bit before coming back inside.” It was a lie, but Josef wouldn’t know any different. Hope would, especially if she talked to Eva and Eva told her everything they’d discussed.

“Oh, good thinking. I’d hate for her to run away in downtown Seattle.”

“Yeah.” Angelica tightened her jaw. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to collect my things and then get dried off.” She walked away quickly, not looking over her shoulder as she went directly back to the elevator.

All she wanted was to hold Hope’s hand again, comfort her. Let her know that she wasn’t alone in this. That she was right there. But she couldn’t. She had to maintain her distance.

Episode Five

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - LUXURY SUITES

Chapter

Thirty-Five

Hope stood at the reception counter for ten minutes. No one showed up. She looked around, watching as guests and crew meandered around, going from place to place, and no one talked to her. She leaned on the counter and looked over it, trying to find a bell or something to get someone’s attention.

She sighed heavily when there was nothing.

She couldn’t catch a break this week, could she? Lyric had picked her up and dropped her off, but she was exhausted. She’d spent the entire week doing press for the upcoming season of her cooking show, and somehow juggling the drama in San Francisco where she still couldn’t put her finger on what was wrong.

“Hope?” Angelica’s voice rang through the lobby.

“Angelica…” Hope caught herself from using the nickname that Angelica had expressly forbidden her from using, but barely.

“You’re late,” Angelica said.

“I know.” Hope sighed heavily.

Angelica came closer, looking at the barren reception desk and pursed her lips. “How long?”

“Fifteen minutes?” Hope frowned.

Angelica scoffed and rolled her eyes. “It took me thirty to find someone.”

“Really?” Hope gripped the handle on her small rollaboard suitcase. Angelica didn’t answer her, not that she expected one.

“Where’s Rex?” Angelica asked, frowning. “I thought he’d be joining you.”

“No.” Hope frowned. “We thought it’d be better if Eva slept at home this week. And since home is here…”

“He’s going to have quite the commute each day.”

Hope shrugged. They’d discussed it and decided it was still for the best. After Eva’s stunt in Seattle, they didn’t want to risk her struggling any more than she had to. “He’ll be here with Eva in the morning.”

“Oh, so she’ll be joining us on set still?” Angelica leaned against the counter, looking genuinely curious and engaged in the conversation.

“Yeah.” Hope bit her lip. “But I’ll be staying here.”

She could see the question cross Angelica’s thoughts. She didn’t need to voice it. And for some reason, Hope didn’t want to answer it. She didn’t want to admit that the few days away from each other would probably do them good but no, they weren’t working toward a separation. Who knew what Eva had told her when Angelica had found her, but Hope was damn sure that Eva had said she’d left when they were fighting.

“I figured it’d be easier since my nights will be late and my mornings early,” Hope added, avoiding that topic entirely.

“Fair.” Angelica looked around again and checked her watch. “I’m keeping a running tally of crew who have arrived and are staying and how long it’s taken them to be checked in.”