Two hours later, Teddy’s back ached from bending over to set each table according to Patricia, the dining room manager’s, exacting instructions. Pale gold organza tablecloths covered large round tables, accentuated by centerpieces of orchids, hydrangeas, and roses.
The napkins had to be folded just so and the silver plated flatware handled with white gloves so as not to leave fingerprints. Small iridescent paper menus were placed beneath a white chocolate replica of the Riviera Hotel in a cellophane package tied with a royal blue satin ribbon embossed with the Behr family crest.
The guests would begin to arrive at 7:30 p.m. for cocktails. Feeling a bit faint from lack of food, Teddy sank into a chair and glanced around the ballroom. The hotel looked breathtaking, from the Italian silk wallpaper to the new pastel colored Persian carpet that led to the gleaming pink marble dance floor. She gazed at the brilliant crystal chandeliers hanging from the frescoed ceiling. Thank goodness they’d kept the original Swarovski ones that bathed the room in a luxuriant glow.
“Taking a break?” The sound of Leo’s deep, Spanish-accented voice made Teddy dart up from the table.
A forbidden thrill shook her at the sight of Leo. She wasn’t supposed to be lusting over him, but damn he looked fine! He had changed into a tuxedo that would have made James Bond jealous. Not only did his sexy accent send tingles up her spine and make her tummy flutter, but Guerra exuded untamed strength even in formalwear. With his thick black hair slicked back from his sharp-planed face, his nostrils flared and inky eyes glittering dangerously, he looked like a sleek Arabian stallion chomping to get to the finish line. Teddy’s breath caught in her throat at the high-octane energy emanating from him.
She glanced down at her work uniform and lamented she wasn’t in a beautiful gown. “Where’s Martha?” she blurted out. She could use a fairy godmother right about now. “I haven’t seen her all afternoon.”
“She’s busy,” he replied briskly. “Fernando wants everyone in the kitchen for last-minute drills. That includes you.” From the strain in Leo’s voice, there was no doubt he was focused solely on the Riviera’s success tonight.
“OK, I’m going,” she said and ran toward the kitchen. Thank goodness she’d changed into her athletic shoes or there would have been hell to pay.
The next hour passed in a flurry as everyone hustled to the tune of Fernando’s orders. Gone was the flirting player replaced by a drill sergeant who knew exactly how to motivate the staff. He didn’t bully like Chef Maurice, but he demanded a high standard. At the end of his session, he gave a brief, but encouraging, pep talk to ease everyone’s high anxiety.
At 8:30 p.m., the lights were dimmed twice in the reception area to announce dinner. Standing beside the heavy drapes framing the kitchen entrance, Teddy watched as the ballroom doors swung open to admit the five hundred plus, black-tie crowd and the seven-piece orchestra began to play “Moonlight Serenade”. Wistfulness tugged at her heart as she remembered dancing with Daddy to this very song as a little girl. He had twirled and dipped her, making her feel like the most special girl in the world. She smiled at the memory and swallowed against the nostalgic lump in her throat.
Teddy scrutinized the crème de la crème as they entered. The men looked polished and handsome in their formalwear and their ladies shined like jewels in gowns designed in the current Grecian style of slinky columns of draped, luxurious fabric. Emeralds, diamonds and rubies dazzled on many feminine necks and earlobes, and several women sported the newest Judith Leiber evening bags.
She watched Daddy enter with Lola on his arm. Tall, barrel-chested and commanding, he looked far better than he had the last time she’d seen him The Amoeba wore a scarlet Rene Ruiz gown cut so low her bosoms looked like ripe honeydew melons rising above the neckline. Her olive-toned skin gleamed as if it had been polished with the finest oils—and it probably had. Knowing The Amoeba, she probably wasn’t wearing a stitch underneath the clingy gown. Not for the first time, Teddy wondered if Daddy’s ailing heart could handle such a blatant sexpot.
Teddy watched as Lola gave Daddy a naughty smile before inclining her head and whispering something in his ear. A few seconds later, Daddy threw back his balding head and roared with laughter as he hugged Lola to his side.
Typical. The Amoeba entertained Daddy like no one else. A familiar hitch of jealousy made Teddy’s heart ache at the adoring look on his face. When would Daddy realize he had married a sorceress? Unable to take their flirting any longer, she turned away in time to catch the signal to get back in the kitchen.
Teddy stood beside Jeremy and became part of an assembly line that placed decorated plates on large trays for the servers to take into the dining room. Her stomach rumbled as she watched them plate the grilled lobster tails and pan-seared filet mignons alongside a medley of perfectly grilled baby vegetables and creamy soufflé potatoes.
The pace was insane and everyone looked frazzled. Silent concentration was the order of the day. Teddy’s palms began to chafe from handling the many hot plates. Her tongue practically hung out from the madness of keeping up with everyone’s demands, but she didn’t slack off once, handling the demanding pace like a good sport.
Sometime later, she heard Fernando coach the servers on the dessert presentation. He drilled them on how to exit the kitchen bearing trays of dark chocolate nests filled with passion fruit mouse, raspberries and topped with golden merengue clouds and a lit sparkler.
As the waiting staff lined up to serve dessert, Liz’s phone rang. Her eyes shot open with alarm when she answered it. Seconds later, she frantically waved Teddy over.
Teddy left Jeremy’s side and rushed to Liz. Good thing Fernando was engrossed in a conversation with Jim and didn’t look up.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered to Liz.
Tears sprung from Liz’s eyes. “Mikey took a bad fall,” she blubbered. “Please take this out. I have to go!” She thrust her serving tray at Teddy and ran out of the kitchen.
Oh God, oh God. Everything had been going great until now. She could do this. She gulped air into her lungs. Just keep a close eye on the desserts and go slowly. Teddy prayed to every saint imaginable as she followed the servers with measured steps. Head inclined slightly, she concentrated on not falling as sweat beads formed on her upper lip and forehead.
The chandeliers were dimmed low so the dessert presentation would make the most impact. She entered with the serving staff to the sound of loud applause as they carried out the fiery display of sparklers.
Teddy kept her eyes cast downward, hoping to remain incognito. She carefully lowered the large tray on a wooden tripod base provided by another server and lifted a plate of the flickering dessert. With painstaking care, she served seven desserts, vastly relieved when there was only guest left to serve. As she approached him, a hot ember leaped from the sparkler to her neck. She lurched at the sting as her nostrils prickled with the smell of scorched skin.
Teddy’s hand darted up to touch her singed neck just as the plate slipped from her other hand and landed on a portly gentleman’s lap, sizzling sparkler and all.
“Watch out!” she cried.
The man shot up from the table and did a Muppet flail with his arms. “Aargh! You burned a hole in my p-p-p-pants!” Clutching his privates, he did a frenzied hop from one foot to the other. A few guests snickered while others gasped loudly.
Teddy grabbed a glass of water and flung it at his smoldering crotch. Before she knew what was happening, she heard another crackle and saw smoke coming from above her face.
“Your hat’s on fire,” the man yelled, backing away.
She yanked her beanie off and doused it with ice water and then poured the rest on her stinging neck. Taking off on a dead run, she glanced over her shoulder long enough to see Daddy and Lola rise from their chairs in unison.
Wet and bedraggled, Teddy’s stomach pitched as she heard Daddy call out for her to go to the catering office.
Moments later, he burst into Jim’s office. “Teddy, are you OK?” Anxious blue eyes searched hers from beneath knitted bushy eyebrows. “I asked Lolita to get you some salve.”
“Thanks. Oh, Daddy, I am so sorry. It was a terrible accident,” she moaned.
“What on earth were you doing out there?” he blustered, his broad chest heaving as he strove to catch his breath. “You should have been at our table, but Lolita said you were indisposed. None of this makes a lick of sense.”
Teddy collected herself immediately when she saw his red face. “Are you OK? Should you take a pill?”
“I don’t need a pill, I need answers. Why were you serving out there? Were you pranking Leo?”
“No! I would never do that,” Teddy protested, wounded that Daddy would think such a thing. “I had to work the gala because salmonella wiped out most of the staff and we are severely shorthanded. I wasn’t supposed to serve, only work in the kitchen, but Liz’s baby fell and I had to cover for her. Liz was only serving because Chef Maurice said her fingers were too fat to prepare the food. Then Chef Maurice went ballistic and…oh never mind.” She stopped just in time. Daddy would murder Maurice if he knew what the crazed chef had done to her.
“What on earth are you talking about?” Daddy clutched his head, trying to make sense of what Teddy said.
“Nothing. It’s all been resolved.” She tried to smile convincingly. “On the bright side, I’m making time and a half tonight.” Damn, what was wrong with her? She was so stressed out, she kept blurting out dumb things! She desperately needed the extra money, but Daddy sure didn’t need to know about it.
His laughter began as a low rumble in his chest and burst forth gruffly. “Is that so, sugar?”
Teddy shrugged. “I guess I’m not cut out for this work.”
“You can say that again,” he muttered. “Now let’s have a look at your neck.” Daddy gently tilted her face sideways and studied her nape with doting eyes. “Does it burn much?”
Teddy winced. “A bit.”
He frowned. “Where the heck is Lola? Looks like we’re going to have to get that salve ourselves.”
Teddy nodded. Anything to be out of there before The Amoeba arrived, but as they turned to leave, Lola stalked in and handed Teddy a cloth napkin wrapped around crushed ice. “Here, put this on your neck.”
“Thanks.” Teddy gingerly placed it on the scorched spot.
“Do you realize you dumped the dessert on Lionel Jove, the hotel critic?” Lola demanded, shaking with indignation.
“It was an accident!” Teddy snapped. Leave it to The Amoeba to make it seem as if she’d done it on purpose.
Daddy shook his head. “Somebody dropped the ball out there and it wasn’t Teddy. That table should have been assigned to our most experienced server. Everyone knows Lionel Jove is difficult to begin with.”
Lola’s mouth twisted. “Teddy’s accident is going to get us a bad review from the almighty critic. And the Riviera’s chances of making it on “Lavish Lifestyles” and winning the Platinum Medal just went down the toilet.”
Oh God. Teddy remembered hearing that Mr. Jove hailed from Seattle and privately disdained Florida, especially the string of tourist trap hotels from Orlando to the Keys. He had only agreed to highlight Miami Beach on his “Lavish Lifestyles” show because of the City Beautiful’s anniversary.
“I’m sure we can make it up to Jove before he leaves.”
“I doubt it,” Lola huffed. “He is famous for his scathing reviews and social media can’t seem to get enough of him.”
Daddy pulled Lola in beside him and rubbed her narrow waist. “Settle down, hon. Teddy’s been through an ordeal.”
The Amoeba grabbed the charred beanie from Teddy’s hands and waved it in her face. “Why were you wearing this? And what’s with the blue contacts?” She flung the beanie on the desk.
“Teddy should not have been serving. Where is she assigned tomorrow?” Daddy asked.
“Pool duty,” The Amoeba said.
Pool duty. It would be grueling work, but Teddy couldn’t exactly request special treatment after her run-in with Mr. Jove. At least she’d have more freedom outdoors than being cooped up inside. After the kind of week she’d had, she could use some fresh air and ocean breeze.
Daddy commanded, “I do not want Teddy serving tomorrow. Have her learn what goes on behind the scenes to keep the bar and the pool area running smoothly.”
“Unfortunately, we need her most in the pool area,” The Amoeba said through tight lips, obviously unhappy that Daddy was looking out for Teddy. “Let’s see if she can handle that without drowning someone.”
“Helloo?” Teddy cut in. Lola was acting like she was invisible. “I’ll do whatever is needed.”
Daddy beamed. “I’m proud of you, Teddy. That’s the right attitude.”
The Amoeba leaned toward her. “You’ll report at 7 a.m. and you won’t be working on your tan,” she said sarcastically.
“That’s enough, Lolita,” Daddy chided. “Teddy’s been working . Tonight was just a little mishap.”
“Mishap is her middle name. You don’t know the half of it.” She gave Teddy a smirk that said she knew all about Chef Maurice’s merciless wooden spoon.
Daddy’s brow furrowed deeply as he peered down his nose at Lola. “I said enough,” he repeated, his tone authoritative.
She backed down instantly and snuggled close to him, patting his barrel chest. “Aw, Papa Behr,” The Amoeba crooned in her melodious Brazilian accent, “Teddy’s never going to grow up if you coddle her.”
Ew. Yuck. She hated when The Amoeba called him Papa Behr.
“It’s not coddling. Whatever happened out there was out of her control. Did you bring the salve for Teddy’s neck?”
“I don’t need it,” Teddy interjected stiffly. “I have some in my room.”
Daddy gently patted Teddy’s back. “After you tend to your neck, why don’t you change into a nice party dress and join us?”
“No, thanks,” Teddy said softly. She would have loved nothing more than to partake in her hotel’s festivities, but not now. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed, cover her head with the sheet and forget about Chef Maurice’s attack on her and Mr. Jove’s burnt trousers. “I think I’ll call it a night…unless I’m needed in the kitchen.”
“No more kitchen duty for my girl,” Daddy said gruffly. “Get some rest.”
The Amoeba looked skyward. “Teddy will be just fine. We must get back to the party. We are the hosts and we can’t disappear from our gala.”
“Is Leo with Jove?” Daddy asked Lola.
Teddy was wondering the same. Had Leo seen everything? Was he furious with her? Her stomach tightened with dismay just thinking about what he’d when he caught up with her.
“Yes, he’s trying to smooth Lionel’s ruffled feathers, but Jove needs to hear from us too,” Lola said.
Daddy nodded pensively.
The Amoeba grasped his big hand. “Come on, Papa Behr. You owe me a slow dance,” she said provocatively.
The sound of Daddy’s sly chuckle made Teddy cringe. The Amoeba flashed her pearly whites and with a toss of her sleek black hair, she sauntered away with Daddy in tow.
After they left, Teddy headed straight to her room and took a warm shower to relax, but when the soap and water hit her neck, it burned worse. After toweling off, she searched for the small tube of antibiotic cream she thought she’d brought with her but she couldn’t find it.
Realizing she’d have to go out, she smeared a bit of petroleum jelly on the burn and changed into a soft, flowing maxi dress and flowered sandals. She needed to buy ointment so her burn wouldn’t get infected and also to pick up a few snacks to tide her over until breakfast.
Before heading out, she slathered body lotion on her arms and legs and stretched out on the bed. Her eyes grew drowsy as she read her emails and began to nod off.
Much later, she woke up disoriented and checked the time. Midnight. Too late to buy the ointment, but she was hungry and would have to make do with something from the vending machine outside the gym.
As she closed the door behind her, she bumped into Leo and a tremor of dread shot through her.