Page 132 of Culinary Chaos

“That’s good,” Angelica responded. “Are you going to open a new restaurant?”

Angelica took the easy and distracted way out. She wasn’t ready to hear Hope’s answer. She couldn’t fathom what that would do to her between now and Friday, and she wanted to be as present as possible on Friday.

“Eventually. I’m working with a developer in DC actually.”

“Oh!” Angelica eyes widened. “That’ll be a nice place for a five-star restaurant.”

“It will. Imagine all the political people I’ll meet.”

Angelica laughed. “Yes, because you excel at playing politics.”

“Oh, I don’t have to play them.” Hope grinned conspiratorially. “I just have to watch and listen. Which I’m excellent at.”

Angelica smiled before she nodded. “That you are.”

“What do you think about the travel mug idea?”

“It’s good.” Angelica nodded. “I can get some special ordered with the logo on them and go from there. I think pint glasses would be better.”

Hope’s eyes widened. “Excellent idea! Maybe next season we can do that.”

“Maybe.” Angelica’s stomach churned. She still wasn’t convinced that they’d actually be picked up for a second season. Kyle and Josef had sent her some of the footage from the first episode that was finally being edited together in its more final form. It seemed like it was a good show, at least from what Angelica could tell, but she wasn’t the target audience for this either.

“I’ll work on the bonbons and the coffee.” Hope bit her lower lip as was her habit, and she trailed her gaze across Angelica’s body again.

Angelica couldn’t be the only one wondering, could she? The intensity between them had been there from the start, and she should have known then. But she’d buried her head in the sand and ignored all of the signs. She didn’t want to admit that Josef had been right.

She liked Hope.

Way more than she should.

And she was a chronic rule breaker, always playing with fire and being interested in those who worked under her. She really needed to stop that. Or maybe get some damn therapy to figure out what her problem was. She pushed that thought aside. She didn’t have time for therapy.

“Eva wants to know when you can teach her math again.” Hope folded her hands together. “Her schedule is fairly wide open since she’ll be in LA with Rex for the rest of the summer.”

Angelica hummed and nodded. “I’ll have to look at my schedule.”

“Just let me know.” Hope pushed herself to stand up. “I assume that’s all you wanted to talk about today?”

It was.

But Angelica didn’t want her to leave. The hour wasn’t up. She could still fill it with other idle conversation, couldn’t she?

Angelica stood up, wobbling a little in her heels, which was so unlike her. But her knees were weak, and her heart raced. “How are the food preparations going?”

“Good.” Hope turned around to face her, and they stood so close that Angelica could smell Hope’s scent again. That damn lilac after a rain. It was fast becoming Angelica’s favorite. “I have several of the dishes already prepped and made. The others I need to cook, so I’ll do that tomorrow.”

“By yourself?” Angelica asked. She wasn’t going to offer her services again, was she? Surely Hope would laugh at her. She wouldn’t be any help to Hope at all. She’d barely been any help last time.

“Are you wanting to apply for a new job?” The tease was there, but it didn’t come off in a mocking tone. Not like Angelica had expected.

“I don’t think I’d be any good to you.”

“I don’t know about that.” Hope lowered her voice, leaning in even closer. “You were a lot of help the last time you came to rescue me in a kitchen.”

Angelica hummed, pressing her lips together. Her cheeks rushing with an unexpected heat. Could Hope see it? “I’m fairly certain I ruined more than just what I touched in that meal.”

“You didn’t.” Hope’s eyes glittered with amusement. “But let’s say your cooking skills could use a lot of honing.”