Right. Work.
But all the people outside, the weight of Josef’s ongoing threats, and the pressure of her relationship with Angelica and just what that meant were taking up so much space in her brain that she was struggling to do the basic things she needed for work today.
“Let’s head that way,” Hope said, guiding everyone toward what they needed to do.
Still, she wasn’t going to make anything a bigger mess than it already was. Angelica deserved that, and Hope was going to deliver on it.
Chapter
Fourteen
“Ange,good, I’m glad you’re in here.” Florence shut the door to the small room where Ansel was set up for hair and makeup.
Angelica pursed her lips as she sipped the coffee that Ansel had brought her when she’d shown up to begin her day. She’d barely slept a wink last night. The thought of all those people outside caused what little sleep she did get to be disturbed. Angelica said nothing as she tensed and took another sip.
“I need to talk to you, and Hope, but honestly getting the two of you in the same room is difficult.” Florence slid into the chair that Hope would normally occupy.
But again, Angelica said nothing. She didn’t comment on the fact that hair and makeup with Ansel was one of the few times that she and Hope actually had together, especially when Hope had Eva for the week, like this week. Or the fact that the nature of their work and the design of the show naturally kept them separate.
Angelica paused at that thought. Had Josef designed it that way on purpose, in order tokeep Angelica out of trouble? God, he would do something as insane and specific as that. Pressingher lips together hard, Angelica nodded at Ansel as he started to curl her hair with the iron.
“We need to talk about what Josef is doing.” Florence pushed her palms against her thighs and didn’t look up at Angelica.
“He’s being himself, finally, I think.” Angelica’s voice was hoarse from the lack of sleep. She’d have to warm that up before filming actually started.
Florence hummed. “The problem is that he’s not pointing out an untruth, is he?”
Angelica tensed sharply. She flicked her gaze into the small mirror in front of her to see what Ansel’s reaction was before she focused down on the coffee in her hand. “Josef’s lies and stands are always exaggerated.”
“I don’t think so about this. Because if they were, you and Hope would be mad instead of circling the wagons to protect each other.”
Angelica sighed heavily and looked directly at Florence. “What exactly did you want to discuss concerning Josef?”
“I think we need to get ahead of the story before he breaks it. Use it to our advantage to spin PR for the show, and it steals his thunder.” Florence folded her hands together, looking toward Ansel before focusing back on Angelica. “Avoiding it isn’t going to bring the desired results.”
“And what are the desired results?”
“Privacy.” Florence’s eyes widened slightly.
Angelica could agree with her there. Josef was going to take this as far as possible in order to ruin her life. She suspected it was a tit-for-tat situation for him, and because she’d been the one to boot him from the show through the reports she’d filed, then she was the primary one to blame. At least, that was probably how he saw it.
Sighing, Angelica took another sip of her coffee. “Josef isn’t easily intimidated.”
“I’m not trying to intimidate him—or you for that matter.” Florence’s tone softened. “I’m trying to find a way to make this useful for us.”
“For the show, you mean.” Angelica’s heart dropped. It was the exact thing that she would do in this situation if she weren’t so intimately involved in it. She would push to find the best possible scenarios. But this wasn’t about marketing and promotion. It was her life. It was her relationship with Hope. And until she had more answers, she didn’t want to make any moves.
“Yes, for the show.” Florence’s thin lips parted as if she was preparing for the rebuttal that Angelica was already giving her.
Angelica stayed still while Ansel finished with her hair and pointed out her outfit for the day. She nodded that she understood and finished the coffee swiftly. “Do you have the script for today?”
“Ange—”
Standing up, Angelica moved toward the small dressing area that Ansel had made up. She disappeared behind it and closed her eyes to center herself. Why was this becoming harder by the day? It shouldn’t be this difficult to just do her damn job.
“I’d really like to talk about this!” Florence called, still obviously in the room.
Angelica swallowed hard, sliding out of the clothes she currently wore to put on the ones that were chosen for her. Maybe if she stayed back here long enough, Florence would be gone when she walked out. So she took her time.
