Page 55 of No Holds Barred

“You’re not the only one.” Hope blew out a breath, her lips buzzing from the move. “Thanks for letting me know.”

“Tell Ange that most of the crew have her back on this one. They don’t like how Josef has been treating her since the accident.” Rex cupped Hope’s arm and squeezed lightly. “And you can tell her that includes me.”

“I will.” Hope walked away awkwardly. She’d never expected her ex-husband and her ex-girlfriend to get along so well, but since all the relationships had ended that’s where they’d landed. She brushed her fingers through her short hair and walked toward the staging area. She was hoping to find Angelica there anyway.

She’d wanted to check in before they officially wrapped everything up tomorrow and had the party with the staff and crew. She knocked on the doorway as she stepped inside. Angelica had her fingers deep in her hair as she scratched hard at her scalp. Hope paused. Angelica stopped. They stared at each other before Angelica sighed and scratched her head again before groaning.

“What’s wrong?” Hope asked, plopping down next to Angelica.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Angelica mumbled. “What did you need?”

“How often are people asking you that question?” Hope crossed her arms and sent Angelica a square look. She wasn’t going to let Angelica get out of this one.

Angelica sent her a scathing look in response, which only made Hope laugh even more.

“Be honest, Ange.”

“It’s hard to move,” Angelica started. “And it’s hard to stand for long periods of time.”

Hope narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out exactly where Angelica was going with this.

“I haven’t able to take a proper shower since before the accident, and while Ansel is brilliant, he doesn’t compare.” Angelica’s cheeks were bright red.

Hope’s heart sank. She immediately softened and leaned forward, pressing her hand to Angelica’s knee just at the edge of her skirt.

“So my head itches like I have a bad case of lice, and my body feels caked with makeup and grime, and I just want to curl up in bed and fall asleep but also soak under the hot spray of a shower for hours, and I don’t have the energy to figure out what I need to do.”

“Ange,” Hope said a bit more forcefully than she normally would, but she needed to put an end to Angelica’s rant. “Since I know you’d never in a million years ask this but also since I’m probably the only one here that you’d ever allow… would you like me to help you?”

“I…” Angelica’s jaw dropped. “No.”

“Ange…” Hope tightened her grip on Angelica’s knee. “I promise you that I don’t mean anything by it, but I will help you.”

“No,” Angelica answered, but she was already reaching up to scratch her head again. “No, I couldn’t?—”

“You could. And frankly, I’m the one offering. You’re not asking.” Hope dropped her gaze down to Angelica’s mouth. It was going to be pure torture for both of them, but she’d be damned if she was going to let Angelica suffer. She’d been there before, and she knew how good it could feel just to be clean. “Please, let me help you with this.”

Angelica breathed in slowly, silence filling the space between them. Hope trusted it this time, unlike so many other times. She let it just be, maintaining the physical connection between them and keeping their gazes locked.

“Hope… I couldn’t ask you to do this.”

“You don’t have to,” Hope whispered back, leaning in closer. “It’ll be my pleasure.”

Angelica’s lips quirked up into that smile that Hope longed to see more of. She held Hope’s gaze, time ceasing to exist as they simply looked deeply into each other’s eyes and souls. Angelica’s lips parted, her gaze dropping down to Hope’s mouth before suddenly flicking back up as if she’d been caught red-handed.

“It’d be entirely inappropriate,” Angelica murmured.

“I’m fairly certain we crossed that line in New Orleans. And there’s no taking it back.” Hope brushed her thumb against Angelica’s skin, the softness and warmth mesmerizing.

Angelica hummed and nodded. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

“Then… will you let me help you?”

“Just this once?”

“Of course. Don’t want anyone thinking the great Ice Fairy couldn’t do something on her own.” Hope smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She breathed deeply and stood up, holding out her hand for Angelica to take it. “Come on. Let’s get you upstairs.”

Angelica stood up and leaned into Hope slightly as she reached for her knee scooter. “Definitely not how I thought you’d say that to me again.”