Page 22 of Alice & Meg, Girls Trip

I chuckled, glancing at Greta. “Maybe you can see about making some hot chocolate on the campfire. I heard it’s supposed to get down in the sixties tonight.”

Greta’s eyes lit up as she shut the RV door behind her. A moment later, we heard her bellowing, “Raven and Paige, Meg said you guys need to start making hot chocolate!”

Alice and I burst out laughing, knowing full well that Greta was fibbing about Raven and Paige being the ones to make the hot chocolate.

“There really never is a dull moment with her around, is there?” Alice pointed out, shaking her head in amusement.

I slid an empty bowl toward her for the cut peppers and onions. “And I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Alice

“It’s official. I am moving to Rockton, or wherever the heck your clubhouse is,” Nikki declared, scraping the last bit of fajitas off her plate with a satisfied grin.

Meg chuckled, leaning back in her chair. “You’re welcome anytime on the days Alice won’t let you in her pool.”

Nikki pretended to jot something down in the air. “So, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday I’ll be over. Schedule me in.”

Just then, the door to the RV swung open and banged against the side with a loud thud. Lennox stood in the doorway, looking like she was ready for a fight. “You ate without me?” she accused, her eyes narrowing at us.

Meg pointed calmly toward the campfire. “I’ve got a plate right there for you, sweetie. I know fajitas are one of your favorites.”

Lennox’s shoulders relaxed, and the tension melted from her face. “I talked to Jonas. He said things are boring back home, and King is making frozen pizza for dinner.”

Meg cringed at the thought. “And I bet he didn’t even do anything to jazz it up, either. It’s amazing what a sprinkle of cheese, pepperoni, some pepperoncini, and red pepper flakes can do.”

Lennox stepped down from the RV and grabbed the warm plate from by the fire, looking relieved. “By the time we get back home, they’ll have lost ten pounds and be begging for a home-cooked meal.”

I laughed, nodding in agreement. “I think our guys would be the same if we hadn’t left Carnie back home. She’s kind of like our Meg when it comes to cooking.”

“But do you have a Marley?” Paige asked, raising an eyebrow. “For your sake, I hope you don’t.”

“Stop,” Meg said, waving her hand dismissively. “Marley is getting better.”

Greta, who had been listening quietly, gave Meg a skeptical look. “She gave me food poisoning.” She held up two fingers. “Twice.”

“Uh, yeah,” Nikki chimed in with a laugh. “I do not think we have a Marley. Most of us are pretty good in the kitchen.”

Lennox plopped down in her chair next to mine, tucking her feet under her. She looked at me with grateful eyes and then to Meg, who was on the other side of her. “Thank you for saving me a plate,” she whispered.

Meg patted her hand, smiling warmly. “Anytime, sweetie. You’re cooking my newest grandbaby.”

Lennox dug into her food, sighing contentedly after the first bite. “Now I’m happy.”

“Jonas sounded okay when you talked to him?” she asked, watching her closely.

Lennox nodded, chewing thoughtfully. “Yeah. Sounded kind of lonely. I don’t think our guys are used to having so much free time.”

“It’s good for them,” I laughed, leaning back in my chair. “Makes them appreciate us more when we come back.”

The fire crackled softly, casting a warm glow over everyone as we settled into a comfortable silence. I glanced around, feeling a deep sense of contentment. Being surrounded by old friends and new ones alike, sitting by the fire under the stars—it was exactly what I had hoped for when Meg and I planned this trip.

I caught Meg’s eye, and she gave me a small nod, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. It had been a whirlwind organizing this getaway, but it was worth every minute. Seeing Lennox relax and enjoy herself, hearing everyone’s playful banter, and just being able to unwind with everyone was a gift I hadn’t realized I needed until now.

Paige’s voice broke the silence. “So, what’s the plan for tomorrow? Are we sticking to the original itinerary, or are we winging it?”

I hadn’t really thought we had an itinerary, but maybe Meg did.

Meg glanced at me, and I shrugged with a smile. “I think winging it sounds perfect.”

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