Page 43 of No Holds Barred

“You can’t walk, Ange. And if you think you’re going to be up to your usual tactics, then you’re misinformed.” Josef nodded at Leanne and put his hand out for her. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here last night to introduce you to the crew.”

“That’s fine. Hope showed me around.” Leanne smiled at him and shook his hand.

“Did she?” Josef sent Hope a curious glance. “That’s surprising.”

“I can be very welcoming when I choose to be.” Hope crossed her arms and sat back in her chair, making sure not to disturb Angelica’s legs. The last thing she wanted to do was to add more pain to Angelica’s already hurting body.

Josef focused on Angelica. “I hired Leanne for two episodes until you’d be back on your feet. I didn’t want you to strain yourself by coming back to work too soon, and I want you to actually rest.”

To anyone else those words would sound like a caring and concerned boss. But Hope sensed something else underneath them, and when she looked into Angelica’s face, she was damn sure that Angelica heard the same thing.

“Ange!” Eva raced into the room, wrapping her arms around Angelica’s neck in a hug and burying her face in Angelica’s hair.

Hope immediately stooped down and pulled Eva back. “Baby, you have to be careful, okay?”

“But I…” Eva looked at Hope and then back to Angelica. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

“No, you didn’t hurt me.” Angelica reached out and brushed her hand along Eva’s arm. “I’m fine. It’s mostly just my leg.” Angelica rolled her eyes dramatically. “The doctors said I couldn’t walk on it for two weeks! Can you believe that?”

“When Emma broke her leg they gave her crutches, and she couldn’t walk on it either.” Eva brushed her fingers gently along Angelica’s arm this time. “I was so worried…”

“I’m okay, kiddo. I promise.” Angelica lifted Eva’s chin and smiled at her. “I really promise. It was just a car accident.”

Hope pulled Eva back a little to put even more space between her and Angelica. She really didn’t want Eva to accidentally hurt her again, for two reasons. One, because of the initial pain Angelica would feel, but secondly, she didn’t want the rest of the room to know how much pain Angelica was still in—and she was pretty sure Angelica wanted it that way as well.

“Hey, we’re just setting up in the… kitchens…” Cadence stopped talking mid-sentence as she looked around the room. “I didn’t realize there was a meeting.”

“Unofficially,” Angelica said quickly, smiling at Cadence. “Setting up for what?”

“Hope’s inspection.”

“Right.” Angelica sighed.

Hope tensed. The last thing she wanted to do was leave Angelica and Leanne in the room together with Josef, and no one to act as a buffer. Cadence stepped closer and winked at Hope. “I think Rex was looking to start shooting at reception, an interview with Ashlee.”

“Good.” Angelica picked up her iPad and shifted herself before awkwardly setting the iPad back on the table. “I should go talk to him about what he wants to film specifically today.”

Josef puffed his chest up. “Ange, you shouldn’t be?—”

“I’m fine to work, Josef. The doctors said I could as soon as I was feeling better, and I am.” Angelica gave him a hard stare, daring him to challenge her on that one.

Hope knew that he wouldn’t. Because when push came to shove, if Angelica put her foot down, Josef wouldn’t dare to go around her. She just didn’t do that as often as she should, in Hope’s humble opinion. Perhaps with Hope backing her up on this one she’d be far more willing.

Angelica stood up, gripping onto the knee scooter and planting her foot on the other side of it. She leaned over to snag her iPad, but Hope was quicker to grab it and held it tightly in between her fingers. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Thank you.”

Hope stayed right by her side as they moved into the lobby area, where they found Rex. Hope sighed heavily and touched Angelica’s arm lightly. “I wish you’d finished your breakfast.”

Angelica laughed. “Is that all you think about?”

“Feeding you?”

“Yeah?” Angelica’s lips were still pulled upward into a smile.

“Most days.”

Laughing again, Angelica shook her head. “Thank you for that, by the way.”