“Find something else to fight about,” Josef reiterated before he stalked away.

  Hope blew out a breath, a smile curling at her lips until she saw Rex put a hand against Angelica’s shoulders and pull her away from them all. Her heart clenched hard at the sight. Angelica hadn’t lied when she’d said that the two of them had found some sort of common ground. They were working together far better than they had in the previous two years.

  Perhaps it was simply having a common enemy.

  Which unfortunately was her.

  “I don’t remember him being this much of an asshole during my interviews,” Cadence muttered under her breath.

  Hope snorted. “He’s really good at hiding it.”

  “Most men are.” Cadence walked away, leaving Hope standing in the middle of the reception area.

  How many other people had witnessed that standoff? Hope wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Heading back to the dining room, she sat back down with Dawn and prepared the pop quiz she was about to give over food safety. She would need to hire a proper chef quickly in order to make the restaurant viable, but that was a problem for later in the afternoon. Right now, she needed to focus on what was in front of her and the problems she could solve.

  Angelica and whatever was going on with her needed to fade into the background.

  Immediately.

  Chapter

  Nine

  “Ifeel like you need a break.” Cadence jiggled a keychain in front of her.

  “Excuse me?” Angelica furrowed her brow as she turned in Cadence’s direction.

  “A break. Come on. You’ve been working nonstop since three this morning—don’t deny it, I talked to Lyric, and it’s about damn time that you had a break.” Cadence jiggled the keys again. “My treat.”

  Angelica cocked her head to the side, her lips pulling tight. Cadence wasn’t wrong that she could use a break. But she also didn’t exactly want to leave more work for later either. “Why would I take my break with you?”

  “Hmm…” Cadence leaned over the table, closing the cover on the iPad Angelica had been working on and grinning at her from ear to ear. “Because I won’t try anything with you, though I will outrageously flirt with you. Because you’re sexy, let’s make that very clear, and I’ll flirt with anyone who will give me the time of day. But because you need a break and I have a feeling that no one else on this set is willing to take that break with you—or perhaps it’s that you won’t allow it.”

  Angelica pursed her lips, an eyebrow raised—she was intrigued. She couldn’t deny that. She turned her head to the side and stared directly into Cadence’s eyes. “What’s a break?”

  “Oh, now we’re talking. Come on! Let me show you how it’s really done!” Cadence stood up straight and planted her hands on her hips as she waited for Angelica to follow suit.

  The temptation was there. Angelica just wasn’t sure if she wanted to grasp it or not. She had spent so much time isolated and alone, and Cadence had called her right out for that. Last season, she would have spent time with Hope, but that was impossible this season. Rex? Out of the question. Lyric? Too many entanglements.

  Perhaps Hope had been right when she’d told Angelica that not having friends in the workplace wasn’t going to be to her benefit. Angelica slowed her breathing and nodded. “All right. But you’re driving.”

  “Yes!” Cadence punched her fist up in the air. “I didn’t honestly think you’d agree. And definitely not so easily. I didn’t even have to get to the second point of my argument.”

  “Which was?” Angelica slid her iPad into her hand as she stood up.

  “That a woman like you deserves to be wined and dined.”

  Chuckling, Angelica shook her head. “Where are we going?”

  “Uh… as much as I love how sexy you are in this getup”—Cadence waved her hand up and down Angelica’s body—“I do think you’ll stand out if you don’t dress down. And the last thing I want tonight is attention drawn to us.”

  Angelica’s lips pulled up to one side. She stepped in closer to Cadence and lowered her voice. “Getting out of these clothes is one thing you won’t have to fight me on.”

  “Oh, we’re spicy today.” Cadence laughed.

  Angelica’s cheeks heated, but she walked out of the staging area and went straight toward her room. Doubts bombarded her almost instantly, but she didn’t give them any airtime. She knocked them down one right after the other. It had been a long month of preparation and the start of filming, and Cadence was right, she deserved—and needed—a break.

  Slipping into running clothes, because they were the only casual wear she had, Angelica slipped her phone into her pocket, put on her smartwatch, and pulled her hair up into a high ponytail at the back of her head. She was curious to see what Cadence would say when she saw her like this.

  She didn’t have to wait long, because when she opened the door to her room, Cadence was leaning against the opposite wall with one foot planted up against it and her phone in front of her face. That was until she locked her eyes on Angelica and immediately dropped it.

  “Holy fuck,” Cadence murmured. “You don’t do anything by halves, do you?”

  “Excuse me?” Angelica asked, a lighter tease in her tone.

  “You’re sexy in a dress, in a pantsuit, in running clothes—” Cadence waved her hand up and down Angelica’s body again. “Don’t get me wrong, I know nothing will ever happen between us, but holy fuck, a woman can dream, right?”

  Angelica smiled, the flush rising to her cheeks and filling her body. It felt good to be openly admired, even if they both understood the rules and that they wouldn’t be broken. Cadence straightened up, standing in front of Angelica and humming like she was eating something that tasted delicious.

  “All right. Lyric insisted that I feed you before I give you alcohol. Some rule she has.”

  “Rule?” Angelica frowned. She’d never heard of any rule before, but then again, she wouldn’t be surprised if Lyric did have something like that. Or if Hope had put her onto the fact that Angelica hadn’t been eating much lately.

  “Yeah.” Cadence shrugged slightly. “Don’t ask. She’s a force to be reckoned with when she wants. So, greasy food and beer is what’s on the menu.”

  “All right.” Angelica walked toward the elevator with Cadence in step next to her.

  It didn’t take them long to get wherever they were going, and Angelica was glad to finally be in the noisy bar and away from the set itself. She hadn’t realized just how much she needed to get away from all those people—Hope included.

  They ordered food and beer and then waited in awkward silence. Angelica wasn’t built for small talk, and Cadence didn’t seem to know what to say to her now that they were out of the work environment. Angelica held her breath, looking around the dark, grungy, and definite dive bar that Cadence had brought her to.

  Cadence caught her attention when the waitress brought their drink orders. “I know the work environment is brutal right now, and I’m not entirely sure what’s going on between you and Hope, but know this, Ange… you do have a friend in me. And I’ll have your back, no matter what.”

  Angelica breathed slowly, the musky scent of an old bar, the piercing scent of cheap beer. She wanted to take Cadence up on her offer. She wanted at least one ally while they were filming this season, especially if it was going to be her last. It’d make this season easier if she had that. Raising her glass, she waited for Cadence to chink them together in a cheers.

  But she said nothing as she sipped the cold beer and let it fill her body.

  “So what did happen between you and Hope?”

  “Cadence…” Angelica rolled her eyes and tightened her shoulders. “You’re coming into this show two seasons in, and I strongly suggest you keep that in mind as you navigate the dynamics that have already been built.” That was the best non-answer that she could give.

  Her watch buzzed. Angelica glanced down, expecting some type of text involving work—either one of the hotels she managed or the production with the show, but it was Hope.

  Hope: I stopped by your room to talk, but you weren’t there. Lyric said you’re out with Cadence.

  Then there was nothing else added on. Angelica pressed her lips together hard, debating on whether or not she wanted to answer. She couldn’t fathom why Hope was even interested in where she was or why she’d work so hard to find an answer. She picked at the burger in front of her, barely eating a fry when another text popped in on her watch.

  Hope: I hope you’re being safe tonight.

  Oh, now she was just picking a fight. Angelica clenched her jaw and looked directly at Cadence. Hope was jealous, and after everything they’d been through and everything Hope had pulled in the last year, she had absolutely no right to be jealous. And if she’d paid attention at all, she’d know that Cadence wasn’t someone that would interest Angelica in any capacity.

  “Struggling with a breakup?” Cadence asked.

  “Excuse me?” Angelica furrowed her brow, looking directly at her.

  “You’re not eating, you keep staring at your messages, and you seem so despondent compared to how you were when we met.” Cadence tapped her finger against the table. “Either way, I can try to set you up with someone. That honey over at the bar keeps looking at us.”

  “That’s because you scream lesbian no matter what room you walk into.” Angelica lifted her pint to her lips. When she met Cadence’s eyes, she nearly choked on a laugh. “I didn’t mean⁠—”

  “No, you’re right. I just didn’t expect you to be so direct.”

  “I’m not sure why. I’m a very direct person. I can either be honest or nice, and you won’t have both.” Angelica spun her beer between her fingers before deciding to finish it off and order another.

  “Oh, I like the way you think.” Cadence ordered shots for them and another beer for herself.

  By the time she was halfway through her burger, Angelica had two beers and two shots in her, and the alcohol was going straight to her head.

  “Oh, oh, oh!” Cadence bounced on her stool. “Honey is coming over to us.”

  Angelica laughed, brushing her hair behind her ear as she shook her head. “For you, not for me. Trust me on that one.”

  Were her words slurred a little? She bit her lower lip and rolled her shoulders, watching as the young woman with short brown hair stalked toward them. Oh, she was definitely coming for Cadence and not Angelica. Anyone a mile away could see that.

  “Hey there,” Honey said. “I couldn’t help but notice you.”

  Angelica nearly laughed. It’d been a long time since she was picked up in a bar, but the awkwardness never got any better. “This is Cadence.” Angelica pointed at her. “We work together.” She was determined to make this as clear as possible.

  They were not together.

  Cadence was absolutely free for the taking.

  Angelica suspected that Cadence would jump at the opportunity if it came her way.

  “We do.” Cadence sent Angelica a curious look. “And it’s been a long week of work. I think we both could use some relief.”

  “I’m Hannah.” And she had eyes only for Cadence.

  Angelica had called that one in a flash. They waved the waitress down and ordered more drinks for everyone. Angelica played the role of the best wing-woman she could, pushing Hannah and Cadence together until they dipped toward the bathroom. Cadence leaned over and dropped the keys to the car in front of Angelica.

  “I’m being presumptuous, but I’ll find my own way home tonight.”

  Angelica laughed lightly. “I figured you would.”

  “Night, boss.”

  Cadence had a skip in her step as she followed Hannah toward the front door of the bar. Angelica paid the tab without even glancing at the bill. It had been worth it in the end. Cadence had been right—though Angelica would never tell her that to her face. The break had been exactly what she’d needed, and getting a little intoxicated had done her well in the long run.

  The only problem was that she didn’t drive for a good reason.

  And now she was left with the car and no way home herself.

  Walking outside into the chilly spring air, Angelica let it hit her full force. The cold felt nice. A run would be better, but she was a bit wobbly on her feet still and that probably wasn’t a good idea with the amount of alcohol in her veins. She glanced down at her phone and sighed heavily.

  Missed calls.

  Missed texts.

  All with Hope’s name attached to them.

  She ignored them and shifted to the last text she’d sent Lyric.

  Angelica: Cadence is occupied. I don’t think you want me to leave the car here.

  She hit send and then stumbled her way to the car, unlocking the door and slipping into the passenger seat. Because she never expected to drive another vehicle in her life. Angelica stared down at her phone and closed her eyes as she waited for it to vibrate again with a response from Lyric. Instead, she got nothing in response.

  Once she could see straight again, Angelica opened her eyes and stared down at her phone. She probably should wait to wade through Hope’s messages, but she couldn’t resist reading them.

  Hope: Can you answer me?

  Hope: Where are you?

  Hope: Ange, you’re worrying me now.

  The stream of messages went on. Angelica tossed her head back into the seat and breathed slowly. She was far more intoxicated than she’d thought. She was barely going to manage to get up in the morning with the hangover she knew was headed her way. It’d been a long time since she’d had a binge this good.

  “Hello? Ange?”

  Frowning, Angelica looked down at her phone and clenched her jaw. There was a call connected, straight to Hope. She wasn’t sure if she’d been the one to initiate it or if Hope had and she’d accidentally answered. Either way, Angelica couldn’t ignore her any longer.

  “Why are you blowing up my phone?” Angelica winced as she held the phone to her ear.

  “Excuse me?” Hope sounded surprised by that.

  “You’ve been texting and calling all night. Whatever it is can’t be that big an emergency.” Angelica clenched her jaw, her phone buzzing. She moved it away and saw the message from Lyric, though she didn’t get a chance to read it because Hope was yelling at her again.

  “You haven’t answered me. You never ignore messages.”

  “Well, tonight I did. Tonight I took a break.” Angelica made sure to emphasize that word because that’s all this was. And she fucking deserved it.

  “Are you drunk?”

  “So what if I am?” Angelica sighed heavily, the world spinning even more than it was typically, which made it harder for her to focus and definitely harder for her to concentrate on the conversation she was attempting to have with Hope.

  “Are you driving?”

  “I don’t drive.” Angelica frowned. Didn’t Hope know that? She could drive, but if there was any way to avoid it, she would absolutely choose that option.

  “So Cadence took you somewhere.” Hope sighed heavily. “You know she’s just trying to get in your pants.”

  Angelica scoffed. “I thought you’d have a little more respect for me than that.”

  “Not with what you’re pulling right now! You don’t have friends at work, remember? You don’t do relationships at work, remember?”

  “That’s a lie!” Angelica seethed. “You, Leanne—I was friends with Josef once too, and we see how it all turns out. I shouldn’t do it, but I do!”

  “What, because you spurn us all and push us away? That’s a you problem, Ange. That’s not on us.”

  “You just don’t get it, Hope.” Angelica clenched her fist and looked up at the dark street in front of her. “You made me believe in fairy tales. Until you…” She trailed off, taking a breath to center herself. Luckily, Hope hadn’t interjected just yet. “I made you my whole world, and then you told me I wasn’t worth it. That I wasn’t worth…” she choked back that word, struggling to say it. “That I wasn’t worth you.”

  “Ange—”

  “I fucking love you and even that wasn’t enough!”

  The silence was so loud. The ringing in her ears had an echo to it. Hope said absolutely nothing. The lack of response was too much.

  “I’m never enough and always too much,” Angelica whispered.

  Looking up, she was met with bright lights. She tensed as the vehicle barreled toward her. Then it collided. She jerked hard, smashing into the dashboard. The ringing in her ears took over everything as her vision blacked out, and then there was nothing.

  Chapter

  Ten

  “Ange!”

  But there was nothing.

  Hope moved the phone from her ear to see if the call was still connected, but it wasn’t. With trembling fingers, she called Angelica again, but it went straight to voicemail. She called again, and nothing. She glanced at Eva sleeping in the bed next to hers. She sent a text to Rex and told him to come to her room immediately.

  Then she called Angelica again.

  Still nothing.

  Rex’s name flashed across her screen. She answered immediately.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong. Something’s wrong. I don’t know what happened.”

  “Slow down,” he said. “I need context.”

  “I-I was on the phone with Ange, and then there was a really loud crash, and she’s not answering. I-I think she got hit by a car. But I don’t know where she is, and Eva’s asleep.”

  “I’m coming.” Rex hung up.

  Hope stood up and paced the room back and forth, calling Angelica one more time before she gave up and called Lyric. Angelica had mentioned that she wasn’t driving, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t in the car. Her heart hammered when Lyric finally answered with a groggy pull in her voice.

  “Hello?”