Hope’s entire body rushed with cold again. She looked Florence over, her brown eyes, her short-cropped hair, the squareness of her form that gave off PE teacher vibes. Never in a million years would she have anticipated they’d end up on this end of a conversation together.
But here they were.
Right in the middle of it all.
“This isn’t about trust,” Hope answered, her entire body stilling as the words and the decision settled into her bones.
“It’s not?” Florence asked, seemingly taken aback by that. “But it’s been so difficult?—”
“Your priority is this show.” Hope’s spine went ramrod straight. “It will always be this show.”
“Of course it is,” Florence answered.
Hope flicked her gaze to Rex, who nodded at her, as if he understood exactly what she was about to lay on Florence. And he agreed. He knew it as deeply as Hope did.
“My priority is and will always be my family.” Hope crossed her arms, staring directly into Florence’s eyes. “Always.”
“But your family…” Florence trailed off, looking toward Rex. Then she paused and nodded. “I think I understand.”
“Good.” Hope pressed her lips together and raised an eyebrow at her. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a job I need to get done.”
Episode 4
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - THE MONTFORD
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Angelica wasa day late to the start of filming.
And she hated it.
The video inquiry hadn’t been enough, and she’d been whisked back to Los Angeles to face the real inquiry into her conduct in front of production, network, everyone and their mother. It’d been three days jam packed with questions—repeated questions—concerns, considerations, controversies.
And she’d been alone through all of it.
“There you are.” Hope’s gentle and calming tones hit Angelica’s ears as soon as she stepped inside the building. Hope moved in, wrapping an arm around Angelica’s side and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Even though she’d typically be upset by such an outward display, right now she wanted nothing more than to curl up in Hope’s arms and close her eyes. Because Lord knew she wouldn’t sleep. Angelica forced her lips upward into a smile, but the way the last three days had drained her energy was outrageous.
“It was that bad, wasn’t it?” Hope asked, keeping her hand on Angelica’s waist.
“It was what you’d expect from an inquiry into harassment and abuse of power.” Angelica’s voice was rough. But she’d been talking all weekend, and while she’d been silent on the flight back to the East Coast, it hadn’t been enough to restore her back to where she needed to be. In fact, she wasn’t anywhere close to where she wanted to be.
“Angel…” Hope trailed off, tightening her grasp on Angelica’s side. “What did they end up deciding?”
“That we can finish out the next two episodes that are planned, and they’ll do a more formal, in-depth inquiry before we start filming the second half of the season.” Angelica’s face pinched.
“Another inquiry?”
“The same one, continued.” Angelica sighed heavily, gripping onto the small suitcase she’d taken with her. Everything else had been moved with the crew, but she hadn’t known if she’d be back or not. “Rex’s complaint…” Angelica swallowed. “I know he was angry, Hope, but it’s detailed and exaggerated.”
“I wish they’d contacted me to ask about it.”
“Oh, they will.” Angelica rolled her shoulders as she tried to ease the tension out of them. “Trust me they will.”
“After we finish filming?”
