Page 19 of Under the Table

“What situation is that, exactly?”

Angelica’s lips parted, and a blanket of surprise reached her gaze before she quickly masked it. Hope envied that. She could never make her face do that. It was always clear what she was feeling and thinking if someone looked at her.

“You’re losing money on this hotel. And if you want to turn a profit, then you need to listen to what we’re saying.”

Why was it that every time they came into a hotel no one wanted to listen to them? They literally were there to help save these hotels, hotels and owners that applied to be on the show, and yet they were met with so much damn resistance every single time.

Then again, people actually didn’t like change.

Even the status quo was preferable to change because it was the devil they knew and exactly what they were comfortable with.

Hope crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side. And she also recognized that some of this was because it was a reality television show, and Rex had asked them to hype up the resistance to change to add in tension and drama. A way to do that without making it all between Hope and Angelica.

Which was a good idea in general.

Hope played into that as the conversation continued, eyeing Angelica so that she understood this wasn’t about her or the two of them, and Angelica seemed to understand. When Rex finally called cut, Angelica sighed and shook her head, grinning in Hope’s direction.

“Well done, Chef.”

“You as well.” Hope winked at her and grinned back.

“We’ll meet with you this afternoon to begin the process of transition,” Angelica said to Robin and Johnny, dismissing them. Rex pulled them to the side and out of sight. Angelica leaned over the arm of her chair, getting even closer to Hope and showing the nice busty line of her blouse today. If Ansel was choosing these outfits, he certainly had a theme going. “I actually think they’re going to be more of a problem that I originally thought.”

“Why’s that?” Hope asked, keeping her eyes locked on Angelica’s face instead of her boobs.

“Because some of the staff have talked to me about what’s been said outside of the reach of the cameras and microphones.” Angelica rolled her eyes. “Watercooler gossip that I don’t think is just gossip.”

“What are they saying?” Hope was fascinated now.

“That Robin and Johnny have a really hard time letting go of things, including old staff and old ways of doing things. They’ve tried new things in the past and it’s always failed because they revert back to what they know.”

“Sounds like change fatigue.”

“Maybe,” Angelica said with a nod. “Or could simply be human nature. But keep an eye out for it.”

“I will.” Hope’s lips curled upward in a smile. “Sorry about being late again.”

Angelica waved it off as she turned off her iPad and started to collect herself to leave. “Family always comes first, Hope. Never forget that.”

Chapter

Seven

Shouts of anger reached Angelica’s ears as she passed by the front reception area. She narrowed her gaze, focusing on them. She slid Rex a look of curiosity, but he didn’t seem to know what was happening either. With a roll of her shoulders and a swish of her hair, Angelica abandoned the hotel manager she’d been working with and started toward the restaurant.

The yelling was definitely coming from there.

But it wasn’t Hope.

Those voices were all male.

She pushed her way through the dining room, which was half full of people. Rex followed behind the cameraman who was assigned to her, Angelica leading the trail of people. When she stepped into the kitchen, pushing through the double doors, she froze on the spot.

Hope stood with a scowl on her face, arms crossed, and a serious case offuck offvibes going on. Angelica glanced from her to Robin and Johnny, both of whom were hovering half over her, though Hope was tall and they were not. So it didn’t really work to their advantage and really just made it seem as though they were trying to intimidate a woman.

“You can’t do this!” Robin shouted. “I told you already. Change it back. Immediately!”

Angelica pursed her lips, waiting to see if she could glean the context of what was happening before anything else went awry.