Page 22 of No Holds Barred

“It’s not just you.” Angelica took another bite. “It’s Josef.”

“But not Rex?”

“No.” Angelica swallowed, sipping her water. “Rex and I seem to have found an arrangement.” She stared directly at Hope when she said that.

Of course she would remember that word and the meaning it’d strike. “Touche.”

Angelica’s lips quirked up lightly into a small smile before it faded. “Rex and I had more time during the break to discuss going forward. And while we didn’t talk specifics, we were able to come to a draw, you might say.”

“I’m glad.” Hope clenched her jaw. Why was it easier for the two of them than it was for her and Angelica? Rex and Angelica had never cared for each other, yet they were working together fine.

“Does that bother you?” Angelica continued to eat.

If all Hope had to do was keep her talking so she ate, then she’d gladly sit here all day and dig into her deepest secrets if she had to. “Does what bother me?”

“The fact that Rex and I get along?”

“A bit,” Hope admitted. “It’s taken a long time for Rex and me to be able to sit in a room and not throw darts at each other. And we worked hard to get to that place, for the show and for Eva.”

“Primarily Eva, I would hope.”

“Yes, for Eva.”

“She’s growing up so quickly.” Angelica finished off her chips. “She’s a credit to both you and Rex.”

Hope had her doubts about that, but she’d take the compliment where she could. “She’s adjusting fairly well to our divorce. It took her awhile, and Rachel didn’t help any.”

“Rachel?” Angelica furrowed her brow. “What did she have to do with anything?”

“Oh.” Angelica didn’t know. Of course Rex would leave that out of any conversation. “When Rex left, he went to stay with Rachel.”

“That bitch.”

Hope laughed, the sound bubbling up out of her chest and beyond her lips. It was perfect, and exactly what she needed. “Yeah, she really was. But she saw me as the reason he left—and you—and so she picked sides.”

“She’s your sister.”

“She is.” Hope frowned. “When we’re done filming, I’m determined to start reconciling with her, if she’s willing.”

Angelica didn’t say anything to that. And she’d stopped eating as well. Perhaps her attention span on food had reached its limit. Hope rolled her shoulders, cocked her head in Angelica’s direction, and asked the only thing she could think of.

“Do you think we’ll ever be okay?”

Angelica’s lips parted in surprise before she shut them tightly.

“Don’t answer that. It was stupid of me to ask.” Hope shoved her basket to the middle of the table, every muscle in her body telling her to stand up and leave. She was being ridiculous to think that they might be able to go back to the way they’d been at one point.

“We should head back.” Angelica pushed her chair back and stood up, this time far steadier on her feet than Hope had seen her before.

The pain from that rejection lingered in Hope’s chest. She didn’t want it to build, but she couldn’t imagine it not growing. Saying nothing, Hope followed suit. They walked in silence back toward Harbour Inn, stepping inside and immediately coming face-to-face with Josef.

“Where the hell have you two been?” he yelled.

“Eating,” Hope answered, putting her hands on her hips. She wouldn’t let Josef take Angelica down a notch for eating or taking a break. Not now. Not ever. “Do you have a problem with your star taking a meal break?”

Josef’s face turned red, which pleased Hope immensely. The more she got to know him, the more she despised him.

“I’d hate for a report to get back that you’re denying the star of your show a simple meal.” Hope crossed her arms and gave him the best glare that she could.