Elisabeth Crabtree - Pink Flamingo Hotel 01 - Death by Pink Flamingo Read Online Free Page A

was desperate to hire someone, but I’ll take care of the grounds myself.” Sylvia opened the back door. “Go. Now.”
    “ You know what, fine.” Blake reached a hand behind his neck and pulled off the pink hotel shirt. “I didn’t do anything wrong and you don’t have to fire me, because I quit!” He threw the shirt on the floor and stormed out the door, slamming it shut behind him.
    Olivia blew out her breath. “Wow.” She held a hand to her heart and leaned over and whispered to me, “That was scary.”
    I nodded in agreement. “Very scary.”
    Sylvia shaking in rage and completely oblivious to the fact that we were referring to her temper, ran her hands through her hair. She glanced over at Olivia. “I’m sorry he frightened you, but he’s gone now. So, there’s nothing to worry about.” She cast her eyes to the ceiling. “And don’t you worry about room 303, either. I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
    “Yes, Mrs. Sutton,” Olivia said automatically.
    Still shaking, Sylvia continued, “Why don’t you call the chef and find out when he plans on arriving. He should have been here an hour ago. And tell those musicians we hired to use the back door. They’re out there by the beach walking around and I don’t want sand tracked onto those ugly rugs out there.”
    Olivia automatically reached for the phone. “Yes, ma’am.”
    “What’s wrong with room 303?” I asked Olivia as soon as Sylvia had left.
    Olivia hesitated as she dialed. “Oh, we have a bit of a mold problem and one of the pipes is leaking or something.” She turned away and spoke into the phone. “Hello? Hi, this is Olivia. Sylvia asked … yes, I know, but you know how she is.”
    “Mold?” I wearily leaned against the counter.
“That’s just wonderful.”
    The kitchen door swung in. Victoria poked her head around the door. “There you are.” She held out her hand. “Come on. It’s almost time for my party. The guests will be arriving at any moment. I’ll help you pick out something to wear.”
    I smi led at my friend. “Thank you, but I’m perfectly capable of dressing myself, I’ve been doing it for quite some time now. I don’t need your help.”
    Victoria gave me a pitying look. “Oh, sweetie, of course you do.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    “The love of your life is staring at you,” Victoria whispered into my ear.
    My eyes focused in on a darken corner of the room and on the man standing with his back against the wall. Jesse’s head was pitched forward at an angle as he examined the tip of his shoe.
    One corner of my mouth quirked up. “Love of my life?” I asked, wondering how in the world the man who walked out of my life without so much as a “catch you later, babe,” could possibly qualify for such a label.
    “Hey, I think it’s weird myself, but you’re the one who’s still in love with him.” With an amused glint in her eyes, Victoria leaned forward. “You had no problem picking up who I was referring to out of a room full of ex-boyfriends.”
    “That’s only because I know how your mind works.” I looked at her out of the side of my eye. “Room full of exes? There’s only two here. Simon and Jesse.” And out of the two, Jesse was the one that had my attention tonight. I glanced back at the man in question. He had finally stopped examining his shoe and was now staring out at the dancers. A small scowl marred his handsome features.
    “Well, you’re the one who invited him.”
    I tore my attention away from Jesse and back to Victoria. “I didn’t invite him. I figured you did.”
    Victoria looked surprised. Her eyes lit up. “He’s crashing my party! I’ve always wanted to have a party someone would crash. They’ve always been so dull and boring before.” She made a face. “You know how Dad likes to turn my events into business opportunities. You remember my fifteenth birthday?”
    “ How could I forget?” Instead of the band Victoria