Page 52 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“I believe his PR rep is beginning to see that Jonny doesn’t have the support of either the business community he left behind or the one he’s trying to build here for his new restaurant.Bernie has been in touch with other restaurant owners on the coast, and they’re not happy with Jonny’s attitude either.”
We drove in silence and arrived at Osteria Arno to see a stream of high-end cars waiting for the valets to take care of them.
Flashes of pink from specially mounted lights swept the front of the restaurant in continuing arcs.
Valets wearing white pants and shirts with Osteria Arno is bright pink letters took care of the car for us.
Vaughn took hold of my elbow and ushered me inside the restaurant.We were greeted by young girls offering glasses of champagne and wearing skimpy pink shorts and white, sleeveless blouses with Osteria Arno in sparkly pink letters.
I took a glass and moved along inside.
An older woman came over to us and began talking to Vaughn about his latest movie.I gazed around the room and saw Jonny talking to a group of men in dark business suits.He noticed me but didn’t indicate it in any way.
I walked into the bar and found Helena Naylor, the mayor of Sabal, talking with a group of people.She saw me and waved me over.
“How are you, Ann?Dorothy Stern was looking for you.I think she moved into the dining room.She didn’t look happy.”
“Is Brock Goodwin here tonight?”I asked.
“Yes, he is.I believe he and Dorothy had an argument.”Helena introduced me to the one man in the group I didn’t know and then after speaking with him for a moment, I made my way into the dining room.
Dorothy Stern was sitting at one of the small tables set up around a cocktail buffet.Glass of champagne in hand, she was glaring at Brock, who was talking to two women standing nearby.I went right over to her.
She looked up at me.Behind the thick lenses of her glasses, her bright eyes shone.“I was hoping you’d be here.Brock is here, as well, and telling everyone that Jean-Luc is unable to cook at the restaurant anymore that you’ve hired some new, young chef.”
I gritted my teeth.I’d have to ruin my evening and speak to him.Hopefully, before Rhonda got wind of this news.She wouldn’t stop at a few F-bombs.
“Thanks for telling me,” I said, and moved over to the small group with Brock.
“Evening, everyone.”
“I’m sorry to hear about Jean-Luc,” said one of the women.“I just love his food.”
“Jean-Luc broke his ankle, but not too badly.He’ll be back at work very soon.Until then, he’s running the kitchen from home.”
The woman frowned and looked at Brock.
“I don’t know what Brock has told you, but one must be careful about who’s speaking,” I said, forcing myself to smile.
Brock looked as if I’d slapped his face.“Well, I …”
“Hello, everyone,” said Rhonda joining us.
Brock excused himself, and I let out a sigh of relief.
We women chatted for a few moments, and then I led Rhonda aside to tell her what Dorothy had told me.
“That prick!Won’t he ever stop?”Rhonda hissed.
“Oh, oh.Here comes Edward Thompkins.Let’s play it cool,” I said, forcing another pleasant look as we faced him.
“’Evening, ladies.I haven’t officially introduced myself.Edward Thompkins.I’m delighted you could make it this evening.After all, we’re neighbors, so to speak.I see you sent a beautiful floral arrangement for the occasion.”
A tall thin man with sharp facial features, he oozed a fake friendliness I didn’t trust.
“It’s a very congenial neighborhood.We want it to stay that way,” I said.
“Of course, of course,” Edward said turning to Rhonda.“We were sorry to learn about Jean-Luc not being able to work for some time.”
