Page 24 of Under the Table

“Could have fooled me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Hope was only half paying attention, thinking about the fact that she’d told Rex only half the story of how she’d found out about Angelica’s allergies. The accidental poisoning of her during a special meal Hope had cooked just for the two of them in the gazebo in Estes Park would remain just theirs and no one else’s. She’d figure out why she wanted to keep that a secret tonight when she had more time to think.

Or maybe tomorrow.

“Hope?”

“What?”

“You were miles away just now.”

“Sorry.” She shook her head a little. “What do you mean that she could have fooled you?” Hope focused back on the food she was making. Two more dishes and then she’d be done with her half of the game.

“I’ve seen the social media posts, Hope.”

Hope froze. She cocked her head, narrowed her eyes, and stared at him. “What social media posts?”

“The ones from this episode filming so far and the ones from the photo shoot. You can’t tell me that she doesn’t get personal in them.”

Hope frowned, a deep line forming in the center of her forehead. She wiped her hands on the towel and then pulled up her phone again. Bypassing the text message she had started for Angelica, she opened up Instagram, which was the only social media platform that Angelica had as far as she knew. She searched Angelica’s name quickly and then her heart stuttered to a screeching halt.

“Oh my God,” she whispered.

There was picture after picture of Angelica and Hope posted over the last couple of weeks. A couple of them had been made into reels with music in the background, music that insinuated something. Hope’s heart raced wildly. She clicked on one of them, immediately lowering the volume so that the rest of the kitchen couldn’t hear it.

This one was from the photo shoot.

Pictures of them together from a distance. Back-to-back. Looking over their shoulders. Staring into each other’s eyes. Hope looking at Angelica’s mouth and licking her lips.

Holy fuck!

Her heart raced. Her stomach tightened into a knot. She wanted to puke.

“You really didn’t know?” Rex asked, his voice softening.

“Why the hell would I know?” Hope growled out. “I haven’t had a moment to breathe since we started prepping for this season, between finishing up the cooking show filming and then getting ready for this. I haven’t been on social media at all.”

“So she’s been doing this without your permission.”

“I think it’s being done without hers as well,” Hope whispered and sighed. She bit the inside of her cheek as she read the text below one of the images. It didn’t even sound like Angelica, which for the rest of the world was probably a good thing. Angelica wouldn’t know what to say or write there—she’d make it bland and boring.

But Lyric…

Hope sighed again.

“I didn’t know about this, Rex.”

“I don’t know if I can believe you.” Rex leaned in even closer. “Ever since we started filming, you’ve been different. You’ve been acting funny. Am I supposed to trust that you and Ange aren’t doing anything that you shouldn’t be doing?”

Hope tensed. She raised her gaze slowly over the tight lines in his face to meet his deep brown eyes. He’d never outright accused her like this before. Yes, she was impulsive. Yes, she’d fucked up when it came to violating his trust. But she’d sworn to him that she wouldn’t.

“I told you nothing was happening.”

“These photos say something else.” He pointed down at the phone. “And I’m inclined to believe them.”

“Rex…” Hope sighed heavily. “They’re just photos. Nothing is happening. You need to stop being paranoid about it all and actually believe me.”