Though social media manager was probably an area that Angelica didn’t give two shits about.
Hope bit her lip and glanced toward the ground, a blush rising to her cheeks. It’d be good that they wouldn’t see each other today because that would mean Hope would have moretime to bolster herself against that. It’d be a cold shock to her system, but if she was properly prepared then she could handle it. Surely.
Lyric snuck out right about the time that Wade set Hope up to do more posed shots. These were the ones that Hope hated. She always felt stiff when she took them, like the unnaturalness of it could be seen through every image that Wade took. Then again, he had some magic on the back end because the results were fabulous.
Before she knew it, they were working on some candids and then he was done. She stepped around to where he was and stared at the back of the camera screen so she could see some of the images he’d taken. He really was good at this.
“Can you wait a bit until Ms. Shields gets here?” Wade asked.
“Oh. I didn’t think that she was going to be here in time.”
“I’m here,” Angelica said, her voice cracking through the room. “Not ready, but here.”
Hope flicked her gaze up, meeting Angelica’s head on, those baby blue eyes unwavering from Hope’s face as Angelica continued to walk through the studio toward them, her heels clicking on the floor as she went, her curls past her shoulders now instead of settling just at them, and a far stronger golden color than the icy white vibe they had when they’d filmed the last season.
Hope’s breath left her. She raised up on her toes, wanting to walk forward and meet Angelica on the way, but she stumbled and nearly fell instead because she knew she had to stay put. Angelica canted her head so slightly that probably no one would notice, but Hope did.
“It’s going to be a while for me to get changed and through the rounds before I can come back in here.”
“I’d really rather have photos of the two of you together than separate. Based on last time… that worked to our advantage.”
Hope frowned. Angelica’s eyes crinkled at the corners, but it wasn’t in a smile. She was frowning. “I’m sure Mrs. Lawrence has other places she needs to be.”
“I don’t,” Hope whispered, her voice barely above the din of the room.
Angelica winced.
Was Hope supposed to take that excuse and run with it? Had Angelica been telling her to go without actually saying those words? Hope wrapped her fingers together and nodded toward Lyric. “Did you need to take me home now?”
“No. I can take both of you at the same time.”
“Okay. Then it’s settled!” Wade grinned broadly as he spoke.
But Angelica looked like someone was about to be murdered, and Hope knew without a doubt that it was going to be her. She hadn’t followed Angelica’s plan, and she’d stayed too late or perhaps Angelica was early. Either way, it was clear that Angelica had meant to avoid this entire situation and all her plans had been foiled.
“Get to it, Ms. Shields.” Wade winked at her. “We don’t need to make Hope any later than she already is.”
Angelica sighed heavily. She walked forward, stepping right by Hope to the point that their arms nearly brushed. Hope closed her eyes, imagining the feeling of Angelica’s skin against hers, the touch that would send shivers up her spine and throughout her entire body. She managed to hold in a moan, but holy hell, she shouldn’t be moaning just from that.
What the hell was wrong with her?
When she glanced up, Lyric stared at her with wide eyes, lips slightly parted, and shook her head slowly. Hope’s heart raced, pattering away and making it so hard to breathe. What the hell was Lyric thinking? Of all people that Angelica worked with, she was clearly the most relaxed around Lyric. Hope could tell that. So they were close.
But what had Lyric seen? What had she noticed?
Lyric looked down at her phone, her cheeks red. Hope flicked her gaze toward Wade and then back to Lyric. Should she say something? Should she try to figure out what exactly Lyric was thinking and then head off any rumors that might go around?
Wade seemed preoccupied by his cameras, which was probably a good thing. Hope pressed her lips together tightly and snagged a bottle of cold water. She twisted the cap forcefully and sucked it down. She needed to cool herself down. She needed…
Angelica.
Turning around, she made her way back toward hair and makeup. Surely Angelica’s dressing area would also be down here, right? Probably next to where Hope’s had been? Especially if they’d been expecting both of them.
She stopped in front of the door, feeling Angelica’s energy through it. She couldn’t quite describe how that was possible, but she knew without a doubt that Angelica was inside that room. Hope steadied herself, staying still and staring at the door handle.
But she didn’t reach out to touch it.
What would she even say?
