Page 1 of Truth or Tequila (Grand Slam 1)

Chapter One

Sophie

“We’re not changing restaurants because she’s late!” Savannah screams as Maisie scans her phone around the packed bar so I can see what I’m up against.

Savannah was in charge of planning Maisie’s bachelorette party. She chose the most hellish bar in South Beach. It only holds about two hundred people. On an average night, it’s hard to get in. When a celebrity shows up, it’s impossible.

“It looks crazier than usual. What’s going on?” I glance at my phone as I try to switch lanes on the causeway again. Traffic’s crawling. So far, I’ve seen two wrecks and a stalled car.

Maisie points the phone at herself. She’s wearing a crown with white, blinking lights surrounding the word “Bride” and a sash that says “Mrs. Right” in gold, glittery letters.

“I don’t know. We’re sitting right below the VIP area. Security’s getting tight. There must be someone big headed this way. Van, do you see anyone yet?”

She turns the phone back to Savannah who’s standing on her chair, craning her neck to see into the upper deck. She’s wearing the brightest orange dress I’ve ever seen. She looks a little like a traffic cone.

“No one yet,” she says, suddenly looking down at the phone and pointing, “but I intend to stay here to find out even if you can’t get in, Sophia. It’s not our fault you’re always late.”

“Why do you keep inviting her, Maisie?” I whine. “You know I can only take her in small doses.”

“Soph,” Maisie says, laughing. “She planned the bachelorette party. She’s in the wedding.”

“Oh, she doesn’t want me here now?” Savannah’s six feet away from the phone, but she’s louder than Maisie. “At least I’m on time for our best friend’s bachelorette party.”

Maisie and I have been best friends since we were five. We’ve known Savannah since college. Maisie likes her, and that’s the only reason I tolerate her.

“Maisie, you know she only does this to get attention.” Savannah’s still yelling. “She’s going to be late for your wedding so she can steal that spotlight, too.”

Actually, I hate the spotlight. I’m kind of an introvert. If I ever get married, it will be a small, private ceremony, and I’m not having a bachelorette party.

“I won’t be late to the wedding, Mae.”

“I know, sweetie.” Maisie points the camera at herself again. “But only because I’ll make you stay in the hotel with me the night before.”

“Soph.” Maisie turns the phone to Serena, one of our other college friends. “The guy at the next table said they stopped letting people in a few minutes ago. You might not get in.”

“I’ll get in.” I maneuver around another car. “I’ve finally made it off the bridge. I’ll be there in twenty tops.”

“She’s not going to get in!” Savannah screeches. I’m sure the people sitting at the next table want to kill her. “And I’m not leaving here!”

“Savannah!” Maisie yells and then lowers her voice. “First, quit yelling. My God, why are you always so loud? And second, Sophie will get in. Settle down.”

“How’s she going to get in?” Savannah’s voice has gotten a little bit quieter, but not any less bitchy.

“Have you ever looked at her? She never has a problem getting in anywhere,” Maisie snarls.

“Mae, I just turned onto Collins. I’ll see you in a few.”

“Okay. Be careful, Soph.”

I throw my phone on the dashboard as I weave through a few cars. My friend Roman owns a little boutique hotel on the beach. He lets me park in his spot when he’s not in town. It’s a few blocks away from the bar, but I think it will be faster to run the rest of the way. I swerve into his hotel’s parking lot.

“Ma’am, our lot’s closed!” The hotel’s parking attendant runs toward my car as I drive around the “Lot Full” sign.

“Hey.” I smile as I lower my window. “Roman Garcia lets me park in his spot when he’s not in town.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Roman Garcia? Like the man who owns this hotel?”

“Yeah.” I can tell he doesn’t believe me. I’ve never seen him before. He must be new. “Hold up. Let me call him.”

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