Page 37 of No Holds Barred

“Oh, uh… sure.” Ashlee stood up, flicked a glance to Leanne, but then led the way out of the conference area.

That had worked perfectly.

If only Hope could manage to manipulate situations with ease like that every day. Then she probably wouldn’t have as many problems as she did. Smiling, Hope snagged her phone and sent a quick text to Angelica.

Hope: When I call in the next hour, I need you to answer. Immediately.

Chapter

Thirteen

Angelica had barely been in Boston for more than an hour when she got the text from Hope. She was finally settled in her room with a stern warning from Lyric to text or call whatever she needed, but she had no plans on getting up anytime soon. Traveling from Maine to Boston had done a number on her. She really should have waited another few days before attempting that.

Hope’s one hour quickly turned into three hours, and Angelica struggled to keep her eyes open and stay awake for Hope’s call, even with work to distract herself. Traveling had been such a mistake. She was just about to give up, setting her iPad to the side, when her phone buzzed next to her.

“Hello?” Angelica said, blinking back the sleepiness that was trying to overtake her.

“I saw Lyric downstairs. Does that mean you’re in Boston?” Hope’s voice had that nervous quality to it that Angelica always seemed to pick up on.

“We just got in.” Angelica sighed, running her fingers through her tangled hair. She hadn’t been able to move to brush it, and like hell if she was going to ask Lyric to do it. Ansel could if she didn’t get to it before they had to film.

“Are you…” Hope stopped. The voices in the background were loud enough that Angelica could hear them but quiet enough that she couldn’t make out what exactly was being said. “Are you okay?”

“I’m sore,” Angelica said with a sigh, hating that she’d actually admitted that. But Hope had always been different, and Angelica had always struggled to keep her feelings to herself when Hope was involved.

“I bet. Umm… since you’re here… I’d really rather have this conversation in person.”

“What conversation?” Angelica pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Ange, just trust me on this one.”

Angelica sighed, her eyes fluttering shut as she pushed back into the pillow behind her. She just wanted to go to sleep, and this hadn’t exactly been an easy resting time. She’d been thwarting work drama partly from the hotels she managed but mainly from production and rescheduling everything so that she could have time to rest. Because apparently no one else could do it according to Josef.

“417.”

“Be right there.”

“Hope…” Angelica held her breath for a second before she finally admitted what she didn’t want to. “Get a key. I’m not getting up to let you in.”

“All right… I can do that.”

Angelica hung up and set the phone next to her. She closed her eyes. It’d take Hope probably ten minutes to get to her room, which gave her ten minutes to power nap. She’d been getting better at those lately.

The knock came far too quickly. Angelica barely had her eyes pried open as Hope stepped inside, saying, “It’s just me.”

The warmth in her voice sent a wave of comfort through Angelica. When would that fade? Because they hadn’t been together in any form of a relationship in nearly a year now, and still Angelica hung on every word that Hope said. Angelica brushed her hair out of her face and crossed her arms. She didn’t look her best, but Hope would be expecting that.

“Well, you don’t look like death warmed over anymore, so that’s a good sign.”

Angelica hummed a small laugh—it was all she could muster. “I’m still good and bruised though, and I’m still non–weight-bearing on my broken leg.”

“Ah.” Hope sat on the edge of the bed, her hand resting on Angelica’s leg. “I have some not so good news.”

“What is it?” Angelica’s stomach clenched. The last thing she wanted to hear right now was that Hope was quitting and leaving the show. She might not be sure about wanting another season’s renewal, but she knew that she couldn’t make it out of this season without Hope by her side.

“Josef…” Hope paused and sighed. “There really isn’t a good way to tell you this. Josef hired Leanne.”

Angelica tensed. The muscles in her body protested, but she couldn’t stop herself. “What do you mean he hired her?”