“That’s awful.”
“It’s Key West. It’s the world.” Chrisla shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, I love this place. But it’s got its issues. I suppose any place does.”
“If they don’t like her, why don’t they fire her?”
Chrisla shrugged. “They can’t. The Carlson is Barnes Hotels flagship hotel. Everyone remembers when they bought it and the big to do about how they would be living in Key West and Sarah would manage it. The central board would never allow her to be fired anyway. They like her.”
“Why does this place have its own board anyway? Isn’t it usually just a central board?”
The whole thing was giving her a headache.
“I don’t know the details but there was some opposition from the previous lot owners about some corporation buying the land and the old hotel. They insisted that a local board was in charge, to keep them from turning the place into something that wasn’t in the spirit of the island.”
“Oh, I see,” Lizzie replied. Her head already hurt.
“But it’s caused a lot of issues. The compromise was that there would be a board of locals and Sarah would be GM. They can force her out if there’s something grave. Like if the hotel doesn’t do well and they can prove it’s her fault. Mismanagement. Things that hurt the image.”
Peter and Derek were talking, glancing occasionally at the party. Evaluating. She thought about Sarah earlier, setting up the stations, reluctantly agreeing to try something new. The way she’d looked stressed even when things were going well.
“I need to get back. But hey, good job with the party. Even Peter looks impressed, and that guy never looks impressed.”
After Chrisla left, Lizzie walked back toward the DJ booth. The energy was incredible. People were dancing, filming, laughing. The Electric Sunset mocktails were flying off the bar. Every station had a crowd.
She grabbed the microphone from the DJ. “Hey everyone! Having a good time?”
The crowd cheered.
“Awesome! So for those of you who just got here, we’ve got TikTok dance stations set up around the pool. Each onefeatures a different dance. Film yourself, post it, don’t forget to tag the Carlson. Let’s see who can nail the moves!”
More cheers. Someone yelled, “Show us how it’s done!”
Lizzie laughed. “Okay, okay. How about the Beach Vibe challenge?”
A bunch of hands went up. She went over to the station where she was instantly surrounded by a bunch of college kids who whooped and hollered as she danced.
“That was amazing!” someone called out. “Do another one! Do the Kiss Kiss Kiss song. It has a dance too!”
“That’s not part of the dance challenge,” someone shouted.
“So? It’s got a dance?”
That one wasn’t on the list of songs or dances playing at the stations. Still, shouts of approval came from everywhere and Lizzie shrugged. The song Kiss Kiss Kiss by an Australian singer from some reality show had blown up recently. Only issue, the dance required a partner. Lizzie’s eyes landed on Sarah, standing near the bar, watching the party.
Should she take a risk? She saw the three board members, currently on their way back into the hotel, glance back. Sarah had to impress, right? And besides, it wasn’t just Sarah who had to impress. Lizzie did also. The board had brought her in to breath fresh air into the proceedings. So, why not?
Or was this a huge miscalculation?
Lizzie shook her head. No time to debate. She had to act.
“Alright but I need a partner. How about our General Manager?” she asked.
Sarah’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Come on. Just one dance.” Lizzie held out her hand.
“I don’t dance.”
Around them, the party erupted in calls for her to join in. At the other stations, people stopped to see what the commotion was about.
