Page 71 of No Holds Barred

“You didn’t know, did you?” Angelica asked, crossing her arms and leaning against a picnic table and taking weight off her foot.

“No, but I suspected. I was going to ask her why those six dishes, but you beat me to it.” Hope wiggled her eyebrows at Angelica.

“That would have been a nicer way to maybe get to the answer we were seeking.” Angelica sighed.

“You always are far more direct than I am.” Hope sat next to her, their thighs brushing, though neither one of them commented about it. “Style difference.”

“Amongst many.” Angelica wrinkled her nose. “What do you want to do about it?”

“The kitchen’s a mess, but I’ve seen worse. Katherine can cook. I think she has the ability to learn the skills needed to run a kitchen like Jess and Mel want—well, to cook like they want. Management is a different conversation.”

“What do you mean?” Angelica frowned.

“That kitchen’s dead silent.”

“I don’t understand.”

Hope bit her lip and closed her eyes briefly. “Remind me to take you on a tour of one of my kitchens when we get home.” Hope rubbed the back of her head again. “Kitchens should be loud. Katherine should be calling orders, telling people what to do, and they should be verbally calling back to her their affirmation of what she says. It’s how kitchens communicate. There’s a shorthand, for sure, but if she’s never worked in a restaurant before, then she wouldn’t know any of that.”

“So you think that’s part of the issue.” Angelica turned slightly, pressing her hand down onto the table where she put it on top of Hope’s and then immediately pulled back. “Sorry.”

“I, uh…” Hope’s heart thundered. She lost her train of thought. “I, uh… yes. Um… that’s a huge part of the issue.”

Angelica nodded, putting more space between them. “Okay. Now that we know what the problem is we can start to work on solutions.”

“Yeah, we can.”

“Good.” Angelica nodded sharply.

They stayed there a bit longer, talking with Rex and Sy about a few more scenes they needed to shoot, or rather Angelica needed to shoot with Leanne. Which raised the question… where had Leanne gotten off to? Surely, she would have followed them out there to try and be in the moment, wouldn’t she?

Rex’s shoes crunched on the gravel as he turned to leave, but Hope snagged Angelica’s arm to keep her back.

“Where did Leanne run off to?” Hope asked.

Angelica shook her head. “Don’t know, and frankly, don’t care.”

Hope bit her lip, waiting a second. “You’re not…” Hope again hesitated. This wasn’t like her, but she was trying to be more careful with what she said and did. “Do you think she’ll replace you?”

Sighing, Angelica sat back down. “I know it’s what she would like.”

“But do you really think they’ll do it? You helped build this show.” Hope curled their fingers together, finally out of the sight of cameras. It felt good to be this relaxed in Angelica’s presence again, almost like the other morning in the cafe.

“I did.” Angelica pursed her lips. “But it might be time for me to step away. I’m not sure if I want to continue beyond this season.”

“I won’t.”

“You won’t what?” Angelica furrowed her brow.

“I won’t sign on for a season four without you.” Hope said it and she knew it was impulsive, but she meant it. “I don’t want to do this with anyone else.”

Angelica didn’t seem fazed by that comment. “Don’t make hasty decisions.”

“It’s not hasty. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I only came back this season because I had to, but I found something herethat I know I won’t find with her.” Hope squeezed Angelica’s hand hard, willing her to hear what she wasn’t saying.

I found you.

“And it’s not something I want to lose. Not again.” Hope smiled briefly. “So, no, I won’t sign another contract unless you’re working opposite me. Trust me on that.”