“YouTube.” Cadence winked at Angelica before focusing on Josef. “It’s a whole new audience that you really need to explore. The highest rated episode from season one was Seattle, and in particular, the part where Ms. Shields and Mrs. Lawrence were cooking together. Of all the videos and social media that are circulating, it’s largely drawn from those moments. It’d be a missed opportunity not to play off that and build on it.”
“So what are you proposing?” Josef leaned back in his chair, completely entranced by Cadence’s charm.
Angelica had felt it when they’d met months ago, and Cadence hadn’t lost it. Also, she wasn’t surprised that Cadence would turn it up here because she wanted this job. How her name had ended up on the short list, she wasn’t sure, but Cadence would be a fan turned director, which might actually be the right decision for the show. And having more female queer power around would also be a nice touch.
“I suggest you start mini YouTube videos of Ms. Shields and Mrs. Lawrence cooking. Mrs. Lawrence can teach Ms. Shields. It doesn’t matter what else they do, the chemistry the pair of them have will work wonders, and having a more relaxed environment will showcase what they bring to the pairing.”
Rex tensed. So did Angelica. She stared at Cadence with a damning gaze. Rex said absolutely nothing.
“Mrs. Lawrence’s house is already set up for filming, so it could be done there, which would keep the budget down instead of going to the studio for it, and it’d make scheduling easier.”
“And lend to the relaxed environment,” Josef added to Cadence’s plan. “Oh, I love this.” He looked to Angelica. “What do you think?”
“I, uh…” Angelica wasn’t usually at a loss for words. Had this been suggested three weeks ago, she would have been fine with it, but now? Knowing that she and Hope were barely talking,with the tip that something was going on dramatically between her and Rex, and then to ask Angelica to go intotheirspace? “I’m not sure it’ll work with scheduling, but it’s a brilliant idea.”
Rex slid her a look that said thanks and relief. Angelica nodded at him subtly and then pulled herself back together.
“Perhaps we can add in a few of those moments when we film season three, that way we can use them in post-press.”
Josef squinted at her in suspicion. “We can talk about that later. Cadence, we’d like you to work with Rex on post to help relieve him of his schedule. Then we’ll determine next season.”
Rex gathered his papers together.
Had they even gotten through the questions they had planned on asking Cadence? Angelica glanced down at her iPad quickly, determining that they hadn’t. She closed the app and sighed as Josef wrapped up the interview. After Cadence left the room, Josef clapped his hands together loudly.
“I like her.”
Of course Josef would like her. She was new, confident, and competent. Exactly who he liked to surround himself with. Angelica kept her mouth shut as she stood up and prepared to leave. Rex hung his head as he stepped away from the table.
“Don’t forget we have the wrap party in a few days! I’m looking forward to seeing what you and Hope come up with.” Josef looked directly at Angelica. “The last one was so titillating.”
God, he was such an ass. Angelica nodded at him but kept her mouth shut. She had a lot of work to do on planning the event itself, and without Hope to help her out, she was going to have even more work to get done. Angelica walked out into the hallway, Rex right beside her as they went. When Josef didn’t follow them, she sighed.
“Do you want to work with Cadence?” she asked. “You’re the one who’s going to have the most interaction with her outside of Hope, so what are your thoughts?”
“I don’t exactly have a choice, do I?” Rex frowned at her. “You know firsthand how little choice I have in these kinds of decisions.”
Angelica paused, her heart hammering. She did something she’d never thought she’d do. She reached out and lightly touched Rex’s arm. “Are you okay?”
His eyes watered for a brief second before he shook his head and straightened his back. “Good luck with the wrap party.”
And then he was gone. He walked away, the sounds of his shoes scuffing on the floor fading as he left. Angelica stood in his wake, processing through that last comment, and the look of pain and sadness that had welled in his eyes.
Was he planning on leaving Hope?
Chapter
Forty-Four
Hope set out the last few trays of food, the ones she’d made specifically with Angelica in mind. As much as they were struggling, there was no way she could ignore the fact that Angelica had allergies, even if she wanted to. She’d still cater to them.
She brushed her hands along her sides after the food was set up. Straightening her back, she was surprised to find Angelica stepping into the ballroom at her hotel. The dress she wore was stunning and hugged her in all the right places. It was sleek, a deep royal blue, and the V-neck didn’t plunge but widened perfectly against her breasts to show off exactly what she had. The off-shoulder design let the line of creamy skin on her cheeks and collarbones show off just like they should. The heels she wore were strappy, giving her extra height, and she’d put her hair up.
Hope had to swallow the sudden lump of desire that lodged in her throat. The bun was low at the back of Angelica’s head, but there were curls that cascaded on each side of her cheeks and touched the tops of her shoulders. Her cheeks looked kissed with a blush, but her eyes were so blue and piercing that they nearly made Hope want to scowl and scamper away to hide.
She felt woefully underdressed in her black slacks and bright pink blouse. Then again, she hadn’t had the energy for much else. Rex had been off all week, and any time she’d tried to talk to him or get ahold of him, he’d simply said nothing to her or avoided the topic all together.
“Angel…ica,” she tagged on the last part of the name at the last minute, remembering Angelica’s request to not call herAngelanymore.
