Page 3 of Culinary Chaos

“Why don’t you cross your arms and turn to the side slightly? Bend your front knee.”

Hope held her breath, mimicking the pose that he wanted her to make. When he whispered accolades, she relaxed. It didn’t take long for Hope to start joking with Wade and a few of the others who were there to assist them both. She was laughing hard when Wade snapped a picture, and then froze.

Turning to the side, Hope locked her eyes on a stunning woman. Now, she had confidence in spades with loads to spare. Hope bit her lip, unable to wipe the smile from her lips as she watched the woman walk around the table of snacks that had been placed out for everyone. Her curled blonde hair bobbed against her shoulders, and the smart blazer that she wore was open in the front, revealing a bright red blouse underneath.

The black slacks fit to her curves like a glove, and they had a sharp line right down the front of them that drew Hope’s gaze downward to her heel-clad feet and then back up. She said nothing as this woman stood next to Wade, talking quickly and quietly. But the tension in her shoulders, the tightness in her jaw and cheeks was undeniable.

She was upset about something.

Huffing, she turned and locked her gaze on Hope. A shiver ran through Hope’s body, tightening every muscle that she knew existed and ones she never paid attention to. Still, she kept that grin plastered onto her lips.

It was now or never.

Because she knew exactly who this woman was.

There was no denying it.

“It’s good to finally meet you, Ms. Shields.” Hope held her hand out, breathing deeply to keep herself steady. Why did she feel like she was floating? She’d never been stunned or shocked into silence before, and certainly not by a woman who had done absolutely nothing to her.

“Mrs. Lawrence.” Angelica Shields took Hope’s proffered hand.

And that was a mistake.

Hope’s knees went weak, turning instantly to jelly. She gripped Angelica’s hand hard to keep herself upright, not letting go when she should have, when it was appropriate for her to do so. Instead, Hope kept the physical connection until Angelica took one simple step closer, a brown eyebrow raised in concern and curiosity.

“It’s good to meet you in person,” Angelica said, her voice commanding even though it seemed slightly lighter than it was moments ago. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there when you were vetted.”

Right. Hope was the last-minute addition to this television show adventure. She hadn’t been their first choice. Or their third. She was their last choice. And she was going to have to work her tail off to prove that she should have been their first. Sliding her hand from Angelica’s, Hope put her hands on her hips and quirked her lips up to the side.

“Yes, that is a pity. It would have been nice to see that we actually have some chemistry to make sure that this show goes off without a hitch.”

“Chemistry?” Angelica’s voice rose high in surprise. “Wrong kind of show, Hope.”

Oh, the way Angelica said her name that time. There was a definite tease there. Hope nearly melted again, but she managed to keep herself upright without assistance this time.

“Oh, it’s exactly the right kind of show.” Hope let out a little chuckle, biting her lower lip again as she lifted her chin up to look Angelica over. “If the two of us don’t have chemistry, I’m fairly certain the show will fail.”

“It won’t fail,” Angelica snapped back. “I won’t let it.”

Hope had no comeback for that. Her heart thundered, pounding against her ribcage to the point that it was painful. Her knees still felt weak, and her words were lost. That never happened. She shook her head slightly and struggled to find any word that might be useful right now, but she failed.

“Great! Those are some great shots,” Wade said loudly, catching Hope’s attention.

Hope shook her head at him. “What shots?”

“Of the two of you meeting.” He stared down at the back of his camera, clicking his tongue. “Yes, this might just be what we want for some of the promotion.”

“Naturally,” Angelica mumbled under her breath.

Chapter

Two

Angelica stayed to the side, eyeing Hope. She’d studied her already, looked at her CV, and watched a few of her shows when she had a chance. She was bubbly in a way that Angelica never would be, and she played to the camera in a way that Angelica struggled with. Angelica wasn’t warm, and she certainly would never be accused of being personable.

Their gazes locked.

The breath left Angelica’s lungs, her heart speeding up and taking over her entire body. Hope was so much better looking in person than on a screen. Wasn’t it supposed to be the opposite?