Angelica was always impressed by that. If she was the one cooking, she’d never be able to manage it. She struggled when the recipes were more complicated. She followed Hope though, staying close to her as she went to the stove and then back to the prep area.
“Second, we’re going to halve these tomatoes and sauté them in butter with shallots and some salt to sweat them out.”
Angelica paused. She touched Hope’s arm lightly. “Tomatoes?”
“For all the people out there, Angel. Trust me, on this one, okay?” Hope flicked her finger under Angelica’s chin and then went back to dicing up the tomatoes. “Will you chop the shallots?”
Tensing, Angelica said nothing as she picked up a knife and started to follow Hope’s instructions. Usually when they made these videos, Hope would stand closer to her, touch her, tease her. But that wasn’t happening this time around. And the lack of flat-out telling the audience about the food allergies was also an odd take.
“Here we are.” Hope slid the tomatoes to the side and bumped Angelica’s shoulder lightly. “You want to toss those into the pan and start sautéing them.”
“If you don’t mind them burned.” Angelica bit her lip and looked directly into Hope’s eyes. “Because you know I don’t cook well.”
“Nonsense. I’ve eaten plenty of food you’ve cooked. It’s always delicious.” Hope’s gaze dropped from Angelica’s eyes to her lips, lingering there way longer than was appropriate.
Well, there was something at least.
Angelica reached forward, skimming her hand against Hope’s before she gripped the wooden spatula and started stirring the butter, garlic, and shallots that she’d just chopped up. Hope stayed right over her shoulder, watching her movements carefully. Her breath fluttered across Angelica’s shoulder, stirring arousal in an instant. Hope reached forward, covering Angelica’s hand with her own and stirring right alongside her, her free hand pressed against Angelica’s waist.
“That’s it. Just like that.”
Angelica shivered. Hope had said those exact words to her in an entirely different situation. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she remembered it, the way Hope had slid against her, kissed her. Angelica relaxed into the simple caress of Hope’s arm instantly.
“Perfect. Now we put in the rice.” Hope stepped away.
Cold rushed through Angelica like someone had just dumped a bucket of ice water over her head. She needed that connection with Hope, the trust that they had built up slowly over time. The rice crinkled against the skillet. Hope confidently took the spatula and stirred it around.
“We’re going to let it cook like this for a little bit until we start to hear a sizzle and pop and it sticks to the bottom of the pan. Angel, I want you to stir it around slowly, okay?”
“Okay.” Angelica did as she was told, not entirely sure what they were making in the end, and she wouldn’t be able to eat it anyway.
Before Angelica knew what was happening, Hope poured wine into the skillet. And then she added in some broth.
“Keep stirring, Angel.”
The brushes of Hope’s hand against Angelica’s back or arm were never-ending. She didn’t know when to expect them or when they might stop, but she craved just another touch. She shouldn’t have pushed Hope away so much in the last twenty-four hours. It was only making matters worse for them. They were so much better as a team, and this was exactly the reminder that she needed for that.
Hope dropped the tomatoes into the pan.
“One thing we’ve learned about Ange’s allergy is that if the tomatoes are fully rendered down and cooked, then she can handle them.” Hope took the wooden spoon from her to make sure that the tomatoes were covered in the broth and rice. “So I’m going to cook these a bit longer than I normally would. You can choose your poison on that one.”
Hope stepped away, still talking to the camera. Angelica stayed dutifully next to the risotto and continued to stir it until Hope finished off the dish and plated it with the lobster on top.
“See? It looks delicious.” She picked up a fork and pulled up a small bite of the food, scooping around a large chunk of tomato and holding it out for Angelica. “Want a taste?”
Angelica held her breath. She locked her gaze on Hope’s as she leaned in and parted her lips, sliding her mouth around the food as she tasted. It was hot as fuck, burning her taste buds immediately. But Angelica didn’t pause. She chewed the food and swallowed it, keeping her eyes locked on Hope’s.
Hope’s lips pulled upward into a brilliant and beautiful smile, the crinkles at the corners of her mouth revealing just how often she actually did this. Angelica missed it. She needed more of it in her life.
“Cut!” Cadence called.
Angelica jerked with a start. Reaching up, she brushed her fingers across her lips and swallowed the last bit of food in her mouth. Hope touched her upper arm briefly. “I hope I didn’t get too much tomato in there.”
“Not at all. And you’re right, if they’re fully cooked…” Angelica pressed her lips into a thin line as Hope’s eyes crinkled.
“Good.” She squeezed Angelica’s arm and stepped back. “The food is fair game for anyone who wants it!”
The crew charged forward almost instantly, digging into the dish that Angelica had just eaten from and the one that Hope had made earlier to ease the time burden of the filming. Angelica stepped back, giving everyone the space they needed and giving herself enough space to breathe.
