Page 20 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
I turned at the sound of Jonny Arno getting to his feet.“I’m here to announce the opening of my new restaurant, Osteria Arno, and to formally ask for Ambassador Ferrara’s support.”
The room grew quiet.What had been a sweet, family affair shifted to a scene of uneasiness as the Ambassador gave Jonny a stern look.“This isn’t the time for business.”
I quickly tried to recover.“Thank you and everyone else for coming tonight to celebrate Ambassador Ferrara and his family.Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Everyone got to their feet, essentially ending the event.
Obviously unhappy, Jonny approached me.“We could’ve started off being friends.”
“There’s no reason not to be friends,” I said, ignoring his threatening tone.
“I intend to be the best, have the most successful restaurant in the area,” said Jonny, giving me a challenging look.“And I don’t need a certain sous chef to make that happen,”
Forcing myself not to overreact, I said, “Everyone loves delicious food.”
Brock joined us.“You and Rhonda are in for a few surprises.Right, Jonny?”
Jonny studied me with narrowed eyes and nodded, sending a shiver down my spine.
CHAPTER EIGHT
After the dinner guests left, I made sure the staff was cleaning up the private dining room and then went to see Rhonda.
She was sitting at a table outside the kitchen in fine spirits talking with Chet.
When she saw me, she said, “I was just telling Chet that when we first started the hotel this is what it was like—me cooking and you entertaining.It feels good, but, Annie, I’m exhausted.”
I laughed.“The two of you did a fabulous job with the meal.As you saw, the Ambassador loved it.”
“Jonny didn’t like it at all,” said Rhonda.“I say screw him.We have our own business to run.”
“Do you know Philippa?”I asked Chet.“It looked like you recognized one another.”
“I met her at a friend’s party in New York City.She and I spent some time together that night and then she disappeared.After realizing who she was and what her family is like, I get it.We’re not a match.”
Seeing Chet’s discomfort, I dropped the subject.“After the dinner, Jonny spoke to the group telling them he wanted Enrico’s support for his new restaurant.Enrico quickly shut him down, saying it was no time for business.I quickly thanked people for coming, ending their silent standoff.It was uncomfortable.Jonny left unhappy with me, the evening, seeing Chet, everything.”
“I tried to tell Rhonda I shouldn’t go into the dining room,” said Chet.
Rhonda held up her hand to stop him.“We’re not hiding you,” she said to Chet.“No matter how hard they try to pull us into their game, we have to stay strong.We can’t ruin our reputations or that of the hotel.”
“Agreed,” I said, recalling the venom coming from Jonny.Brock was Brock and didn’t scare me.He was just very annoying.
“I’m calling it a night,” said Rhonda getting to her feet.She turned to Chet.“Thanks for everything.Please don’t leave until you have Jean-Luc’s permission.”
“I’ll walk you out,” I said.“Housekeeping is scheduled to come in to take care of the private dining room after it’s cleared of food and dishes.”
We left the hotel together, exiting through the back of the hotel to where we’d parked.
Heading toward my car, I stopped and stared in disbelief.“Oh, my God!Look!”
Two of my tires were flat.Even from a short distance, I could tell the tires had been slashed.
“This has to be tied to Jonny Arno’s team,” said Rhonda.“I can’t think of anyone else who’d do something like this.”She went over to her car.“My tires are okay.”
“I’ll call security.Don’t wait around for me,” I said letting out a tired sigh.“I know how exhausted you are.”
“Annie, I won’t leave you like this.We’re partners, and partners stick together.”
