“Thank you,” Angelica said quietly.
“For being in the right place at the right time?” Florence asked, an eyebrow raised.
Angelica jerked her head slightly to the side and then shrugged. “Today you were. But you also took charge, so I didn’t have to.”
“I can do that in other situations, you know.”
“Yes, I know.” Angelica took another sip of the whiskey. “Maybe I’ll even let you.”
“That was what I came here to discuss with you. How we’re going to go forward with filming the second half of the season. I really want the two of us to work better together.” Florence looked at her directly, and Angelica could see Florence’s desire.
Angelica nodded. “I’ll be less resistant. I promise.”
“Good. I?—”
There was a knock at the door. Angelica tensed immediately.
“I’ll get that, if you don’t mind. I think you’ve had enough surprises for today.” Florence pointed toward the door.
“Thank you.”
While Florence got up, Angelica snagged her phone and opened her text messages. She had a couple from Hope, but nothing about the incident, more just random moments from her day. Angelica typed quickly.
Angelica
Tell me when you have time to sit down for a phone call. Tonight. Preferably soon.
Hope
This doesn’t sound good.
Angelica
It’s been a day.
Hope
I can in an hour.
Angelica
Done.
“It’s just a package.” Florence said as she came back over, holding out the small box to Angelica. “I had to sign for it.”
Angelica furrowed her brow, taking the box from Florence’s hands. It had Christian’s name as the sender. Curious, she dug at the tape until she could open it. Inside was a forest green velvet jewelry box. Angelica pried open the lid and froze.
“What is it?” Florence asked.
Angelica turned it around to show the stunning emerald ring with flanking diamonds in a gold band. “This was my great-grandmother’s on my dad’s side. My mom hated it.”
“Were you expecting it?”
Shaking her head, Angelica pulled the ring out to look at it more closely. “I haven’t seen this since I was a teenager. My dad always said that it was won during a bet, and that it had to stay in the family, I assumed my brother would give it to one of his girls.”
“But it’s your mother’s.”
“She died.” Angelica flicked her gaze to Florence. “Two weeks ago.”
