Page 49 of Culinary Chaos

“About what?” Angelica asked. If they were going there, then they were going to deep dive into the mess that Hope had created. “About the fact that I’m his boss? Or about last night?”

“I…” Hope blanched. “I didn’t tell him about last night.”

Well, that was one thing put right. At least Rex didn’t know that his wife had kissed her. Which meant he really was just pissed off and emotional about the fact that Angelica had barreled through all the bullshit to get exactly what they needed from this episode.

“I don’t know if I will,” Hope whispered, stepping closer. She clearly didn’t want anyone to accidentally overhear her. And to that point, neither did Angelica. It was the last thing she needed. Josef had to remain completely in the dark. “But you have to realize that if we lose our jobs, that’s both of us, and our household won’t have the income. This isn’t something that we take lightly.”

“You’re a celebrity chef, Hope,” Angelica answered. “You have your own show.”

“I do,” Hope agreed. “And I’m sure that Rex will easily be able to find another directing job, but that still doesn’t mean that it’s not scary. You have to consider what the crew is feeling when you’re throwing around these threats.”

“Throwing around?” Angelica shifted in closer, her voice deadly quiet. “I meant every word that I said. I don’t expect you to understand it, but I meant it. I’ll do my best to save this hotel and to save the show no matter what. But I can’t do it by myself.”

Hope’s jaw went slack. “What are you saying?”

“If I’m fighting the crew, then I’m fighting two battles. Not one.”

“Then get them on your side.”

Angelica shook her head with a light laugh. “You hear what they say about me. They don’t trust me. And they won’t do what I need them to do unless I push them into it.”

“Did you ever think that you’re creating your own insanity? That maybe if you communicated more effectively, got to know them, let them in on what you’re thinking and planning, that maybe they might learn to trust you eventually?”

Angelica stilled, her gaze locked on Hope’s. “I don’t work like that.”

“You might if you just tried.”

“No.” Angelica stepped away, finally finding that freedom that she wanted and desperately needed. “I’m going to get some actual work done.” She didn’t look over her shoulder as she walked directly toward the front lobby. She needed to get outside, she needed to take a deep breath, and she needed to figure out what the fuck that was all about.

Because Hope couldn’t be right.

Chapter

Seventeen

“Chef, do you have a minute?” Bowen wrung his hands nervously as he stared at his toes.

“Yeah, sure.” Hope managed not to flick her gaze toward the cameras. “In private?”

“Yeah.” He nodded, still not really looking at her.

“Sure.” Hope wiped her hands on a towel and nodded toward Kyle. “Let’s go out back.”

Hope led the way through the kitchen and out a little back door where most of the kitchen staff took their smoke breaks and hid out when John or Nova came in—or Angelica lately. Hope hadn’t missed that fact. While it wasn’t the quietest place, they would have relative privacy from anyone inside, and she trusted that Kyle and his crew would keep everyone out.

The cameraman followed them, the camera always recording and picking up just about anything that Hope had to say through the microphone strapped to her waistband and wrapped against her skin under her chef’s coat. Softening her stance, Hope wanted to make sure that Bowen understood he could tell her anything he needed.

“What’s up?” Hope asked as soon as the door was shut behind the crew.

“I uh… some of the guys and I have been talking…” he trailed off again, that nervous glance down toward his shoes not boding well for any kind of conversation that Hope was going to have with him. Were they all quitting?

It might be better in the long run if they did.For them.Not for the hotel. But everything had been awkward and tension-riddled since Angelica had made her threat of pulling the entire show. It was as if everyone was walking on eggshells to try and keep Angelica happy, when that hadn’t been the point.

Hope held her tongue, maintaining as much patience as she could. She needed to make Bowen comfortable, not scare him like Angelica had.

“…we don’t think John and Nova are going to listen to Ms. Shields.”

“You don’t,” Hope repeated, frowning. She’d had the same thought, and she was damn sure Angelica had too. In fact, she was pretty sure that everyone on set was thinking that. But then why were they there?