Page 50 of No Holds Barred

“Eating lunch,” Angelica answered as she took another bite of her meal.

That hadn’t been what Hope wanted to know, but she would take that answer for now. Angelica wasn’t having the same thoughts that she was. It was all in her head, and she needed to accept that. Angelica didn’t want her anymore.

“What was that with Leanne?” Hope pointed toward the door.

“Sometimes to make difficult people cooperate, it’s necessary to make them think they’re the one in control.” Angelica looked directly at Hope, her gaze unnerving. Had Angelica done the same thing with Hope two years ago?

Had that been what last year was about?

Pushing that thought to the back of her mind as much as she could, Hope refocused herself.

“I asked Rex to pull the audio from the confrontation with Josef the other day,” Hope said, staring down at her hand against Angelica’s knee because for the life of her, she couldn’t make herself move it.

“You did what?”

“I had a feeling that it was all recorded, and I wanted to hear exactly what he’d said to you, again. I wanted to know what threats he’d made.” Hope bit her lip, turning her face to look at Angelica full on. “How long has he been saying things like that?”

“This isn’t your fight, Hope.”

“You made it my fight when you asked me for help with Leanne.”

“Leanne is one thing. Josef is another entirely.” Angelica shook her head, and her entire body tensed.

Hope missed the relaxed woman she’d come in here and found. “I don’t think they’re all that different, and because Josef brought in Leanne, the two are really well mixed up in this.”

“Leanne doesn’t understand the dynamics.”

“No, she doesn’t.” Hope rolled her shoulders, sitting back a little but still keeping her hand on Angelica’s bare knee. “Leanne doesn’t know that you and I used to be in a relationship.”

“Hope…” Angelica’s voice broke into a whisper. “We talked about this.”

“We really didn’t.” Hope’s face hardened. “But since you asked, I listened to what Josef said to you and then I sent that recording to Logan. I’m tired of allowing a bully to run this show, and I’m tired of letting him walk all over you. Whether or not anything else happens between us in the future, Ange, you deserve to work in a place that isn’t antagonizing you.”

Angelica’s jaw dropped.

“Back to business.” Hope straightened her shoulders and moved her hand from Angelica’s leg. “I think I’ve solved the room service issues, and I’m working with the chef to tidy upsome small things in the kitchen and to work on a new menu that will really up the level of their food. As for Ashlee, I think the best thing you can do for her is either tell her to step out of the business, hire a good manager to come in here and run everything, and be hands off—or send her to one of your hotels for three months to get a crash course and offer consultation after that. But that’s just my opinion and I know you’ll do whatever the hell you want.”

Hope stood up and brushed invisible lint off her clothes.

“Hope!”

“I hear we’re scheduled to do a trial run of room service for filming tomorrow.” Hope shoved her hands into her pockets and rocked back on her heels. “I’ll make sure that the team is ready for it.”

“Hope,” Angelica repeated, harshness to her tone that Hope hadn’t heard in a long time. “Don’t leave like this.”

“Like what? As coworkers? As costars?” Hope bit her lip and shook her head. “I’m only following the lines you’ve set, Ange. Nothing else.”

She turned on her toes and walked out of the room. She needed some air. She needed some space. Because whatever had just happened in there hurt too damn much.

This wasn’t what she wanted.

This attraction, this desire, this love she still harbored for Angelica hurt too damn much in moments like that.

And she just needed a few minutes to herself—to put her head on straight, to breathe without the scent of Angelica’s perfume invading her senses.

Chapter

Seventeen