Page 1 of Alice & Meg

Chapter One

Meg

“I went down like a fattie on a seesaw, Cyn. And I can say that because I am a fattie,” I blurted out, the words tumbling out of me in a frantic whisper.

“Don’t you know how to start a conversation?” Cyn’s voice drawled through the line. “You didn’t even say hi.”

Balancing the phone precariously between my shoulder and ear, I scanned the bustling lobby of the Kalahari Hotel. “Yeah, well, when I go ass over teakettle in front of a huge group of car guys, I gotta call you to talk me off the ledge of drowning myself in the kiddie pool.”

Cyn’s laughter echoed through the phone. “Rigid was right. I should have gone to the convention with you.”

Yeah, she definitely should have. But no, Cyn would rather spend the weekend with her husband celebrating their anniversary than endure a weekend away with her best friend of too-many-years-to-count-because-then-we-would-both-feel-really-old years. Rude.

“Babe,” came a voice from behind me.

I spun on my heel, retreating further into the corner, only to collide with a statue of a big-ass elephant. Lo stared at me, not the least bit surprised by the spectacle I’d just made of myself.

“Is that King?” Cyn’s voice crackled through the phone. “His ‘babe’ sounded lower than normal.”

“It did, but I think he’s more perturbed by the long line to check in than he is at me landing on my ass in front of everyone,” I babbled nervously.

“That does sound like King. God knows he’s seen you do so much worse than tripping, Meg.”

I waved dismissively at Lo. “I better go. I saw a giraffe hat in the gift shop, and I might grab it to help me be incognito this weekend.”

“Grab me an elephant one if they have one,” Cyn chimed in. “And try not to embarrass yourself more than normal.”

Ah, what a good friend Cyn was. “I’ll keep you posted, but I can’t promise anything.” With that, I ended the call and stuffed my phone back into my pocket.

“Babe,” Lo called again.

I glanced around, hoping that everyone who had witnessed my embarrassing tumble had dispersed.

“Coming, handsome,” I muttered, scurrying over to him, and grabbed onto his arm. “Are you sure you want to be seen with me in public?” I batted my eyes at him and pasted a huge grin on my face.

“I think the train left the station on me not wanting to be seen in public with you, babe. You’re stuck with me.”

“Switch it around because god knows you are the one who is stuck with me; imagine getting another man and training him. Gross.” I cringed and shook my head. “No, thank you.”

Lo grunted and shook his head. “We’re both stuck with each other, babe. Not interested in hearing you talking about getting another guy.”

I reached up and cradled his cheek. “Oh, honey. God knows you’re the only man I want.” I looked toward the large revolving doors. “Unless Jason Momoa walks through those doors right now.” I waited five seconds and then turned back to Lo. “Well, looks like you really are stuck with me.”

Lo wrapped his arms around me and leaned down to press a kiss to my lips. “You’re a nut, Meg, but I love you.”

“As you should,” I whispered.

“You ready to go check out our room?” he asked.

I nodded and stepped back. “Yes, but should we wait for Jonas and Lennox?”

Lo shook his head. “They can wait in that massive line just like we did. I’m going to need to start drinking if we hang out here much longer.”

“You know you can’t drink with the meds you’re on,” I scolded.

Lo grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the elevators. “Which is why we’re not going to hang around waiting for Jonas, and we’re going to go to our room. The welcome dinner isn’t for a few hours.”

“What are we going to do for a few hours?” I asked. “Did you want to hit up the indoor waterpark?” The Kalahari was known for having the largest indoor waterpark, and it was on my list of things to do this weekend.

---