“Thanks. I’m scared.”
“Of losing her?” Angelica asked.
“Of the shit storm that will happen when she dies.” Christian sighed again. “It’s a mess, Ange. It’s so bad that I don’t even know where to start. I didn’t realize how much damage she’s done to the house, to their finances, to everything. And with her being in the hospital for so long this time around and Dad being up here, I’ve been able to dig in deeper to what’s going on, and fuck. It’s bad.”
Angelica clenched her fist. It would be so easy for her to tell him to send it all to her, that she would dig through it and figure it out. But she didn’t want that burden—and that’s exactly what it’d be. And she knew it’d be a mess. Her parents were never good with money, and her dad just let her buy whatever she wanted and never paid too much attention to it.
“Well, when you dig into it, I can offer some advice.”
“Thanks. But I won’t ask you to do that, but ugh, I didn’t realize how messed up they were.”
Because you are the golden child.Angelica held her tongue on that one. She glanced toward the door and closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Christian, I have to get back to filming. I had an unexpected break and wanted to touch base.”
“Oh, of course. I, uh… just call me when you can, okay?”
“I’ll call later tonight.” Angelica started to stand up.
“Talk soon.” And then he was gone.
With two more steadying breaths, Angelica left the staging area and went back out into the fray. She and Hope would have to talk tonight as well. Because Hope would surely be devastated by that interview, and Angelica wanted to be there for her. But right now, they both had a job to do, and they were both very adept at using work to distract themselves.
Joy was still at the computer at reception, where Angelica was fairly certain she lived most days. Tapping her hand against the top of the counter, Angelica caught Joy’s attention. “Thoughts on branding?”
Joy’s nose wrinkled upward.
“We can’t keep waiting for an answer, and if you don’t give me one, then I’m going to choose for you. And then you really won’t like it.” Angelica eyed her carefully, knowing that Sy was nearby with a camera catching everything. “Have you asked Ross what his opinion on it is?”
“No.”
“Does he get an opinion on it?”
“No,” Joy answered.
Angelica hummed, looking around reception to see if she could find Ross hiding off in some little corner. “Is that because he doesn’t want to give an opinion or is that because you don’t want to hear it?”
Joy clenched her jaw hard on that one.
“Ah, you don’t want to hear it.” Angelica tapped her fingers along the top of the counter and bided her time as she debated what to say next. Because Joy was the roadblock. It wasn’t owners causing problems. It wasoneowner. And Ross didn’t have enough backbone to stand up to her. “What are your thoughts on a brand?”
“I don’t know.”
“Right.” Angelica looked around. “I’m going to find Ross and ask him then.”
She didn’t stop when Joy called her name. Angelica carried the smirk of satisfaction with her as she rounded the corner to find Ross in the office on the computer. Forcing him to stand up for himself and forcing Joy to listen.
That was exactly what needed to happen here.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
“Tonight we’re relaunchingthe hotel under its new branding.”
“Including the restaurant,” Hope said, glancing toward Angelica, who stared directly at the camera.
Despite the fact that they’d managed to find a few connecting moments since they’d arrived, it hadn’t been enough, and Hope was feeling pushed away again. Which she hated.
“Simple elegance with a Virginia Beach twist,” Angelica said, her lips curling upward into a stunning smile. One that Hope wished was turned on her instead of just for show to the camera. But Hope kept her own smile plastered on her face. That’s what they were here for, wasn’t it? Turn this hotel around and then move onto the next.
