Love the One You're With

  “Asshole.” Owen punched Rhys good-naturedly in the arm. “I meant Riley seemed flirty with Baby.”

  They walked inside the palatial lobby, which was decorated in woods and steels. Teak ceiling fans circulated the muggy air. The concierge nodded to both of them as they made their way through the center of the lobby and toward the pool.

  “He seems fine, dude. You’re on vacation. Baby can handle herself,” Rhys reasoned. Baby and Riley had seemed friendly last night, but the real problem was Owen. It must have been hard to suddenly be expected to bond with his mom’s boyfriend, not to mention her boyfriend’s daughter and her boyfriend. But Owen had such a chip on his shoulder when it came to Remington that he was biased against the whole group—he’d barely spoken two words to Layla, and now he seemed to be obsessing over Riley. Rhys didn’t know how to tell his buddy to just chill out. Maybe Owen did need to find a girl here, to take his mind off the whole family situation.

  They walked onto the patio surrounding the expansive, amoeba-shaped pool. Scattered around were green-and-white striped cabanas, as well as blue lounge chairs.

  “Here good?” Rhys asked, gesturing to a cabana by the far edge of the pool.

  “Sure.” Owen pulled off his shirt and threw it in a messy heap on one of the bamboo chairs. Rhys surveyed the area. The pool was empty, except for a toddler curiously examining a turtle fountain by the edge while his mom watched. It was only 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning.

  “Sirs, can I help you?” a waiter asked. Even the waitstaff’s white linen shirts reflected the resort’s laid-back but still posh atmosphere.

  “I’ll have a mimosa,” Rhys said. “He’ll have one too,” he added, ignoring Owen’s snort. “You need to lighten up,” he said when the waiter walked away.

  “Mimosa?! You are such a chick,” Owen laughed. “Speaking of chicks, we need to get started on our little mission. So, what do you look for in a girl?”

  Rhys shook his head, annoyed that Owen was insisting on going forward with this whole plan. It was enough he was getting hourly texts from Hugh asking about his progress. “Well, I think you know what I like in a girl,” he said pointedly. Instantly, the tips of Owen’s ears reddened. Good. That oughta shut him up.

  “Sorry, man.” Rhys shrugged. “Is this the age-old ass-or-chest question again?” The swim team discussed it at least once a week. The team was pretty evenly divided, with Chadwick Jenkins stating that he couldn’t decide. As if the skinny, terrified ninth grader actually had girls falling all over him.

  “No. I mean, I like girls who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go after it,” Owen said, furrowing his brow as if he were really thinking it through. The waiter came back with two mimosas garnished with strawberries. Owen chuckled at the berry and drank half the glass in one gulp. He was more of a beer guy.

  Rhys racked his brain. What did he look for? He’d loved Kelsey’s hair, her eyes, her slightly crooked incisor, and her artsy sense of style. Then there had been her enthusiasm and her coral pink lip gloss…. It was weird, but the harder he thought about it, the less he remembered. They’d dated for so many years, and known each other for so long, that it was hard to remember what exactly had attracted him to her in the first place.

  Meanwhile, he knew precisely what he liked about Avery. He loved her silky blond hair, the way he could tell she’d really spent time on her outfits, certain that everything was wrinkle-free and matching, the way she seemed so self-assured—it was even cute when she bossed Owen and Baby around, because at the end of the day it was out of love. And yet, despite her in-charge attitude, Avery seemed a little vulnerable. She was wistful for the glamour of another time. She was, in the truest sense of the word, a romantic.

  “Fantasizing?” Owen’s sarcastic voice pulled Rhys out of his reverie.

  “Only about you,” he teased. In truth, the more he thought about Avery, the more he knew he had to see her. Even if she was Owen’s sister, even if he’d promised himself that for now they’d just be friends. She hadn’t said what she was doing today, and he wanted to catch her before she went horseback riding or deep-sea fishing or any of the other “family fun” activities Remington had suggested last night at dinner.

  “Ha ha.” Owen surveyed his friend. Rhys was gazing into his mimosa glass as if it held the secret to the universe.

  “I’m going to go,” Rhys said suddenly, bolting up off his lounge chair. “Catch you later.” He half-jogged off.

  “Hey, what about meeting girls?” Owen called to Rhys’s retreating back. What the fuck? He picked up Rhys’s unfinished mimosa and drained it. Maybe he really wasn’t over the Kelsey breakup, and talking about other girls made him jumpy. But if so, wasn’t the best way for him to get over it to find another girl?

  Short answer: Yes. But maybe not the girl he thinks.

  Owen leaned back, enjoying the sun on his face. Already, he wanted to go back to sleep. Why had they gotten up so early? And on Thanksgiving, no less. They had plans for a big family dinner, but nothing scheduled for the day. Maybe he could just sleep until dinnertime, right here—

  “’Ello, luv! You awake?”

  Owen opened one eye. A girl was leaning over him, her tiny, rainbow-colored bikini top just inches from his eyes. Was he dreaming? It was possible he was. Her voice sounded just like the girl’s in My Fair Lady, Avery’s favorite movie when she was little. “Oi! Anything in there?” She tapped a long, acrylic fingernail against Owen’s head.

  “Sorry, er, hi.” Owen pushed himself into a sitting position, blinking his eyes open. The girl had sort of crooked front teeth and short brown hair. Her skimpy bikini showed off her tanned body. Owen sat up straighter.

  “Would you mind if I sat ’ere with you? Me mate’s ’avin’ a lie-in this morning. She had a busy night. ’Onestly, I think everyone round ’ere is mingin’. I’d much rather be in Ibiza, like last year. Instead, I’m here with me mum, so who’m I to say anything? Except that she’s bleedin’ tedious.” The girl pouted as she perched her bony ass on the edge of Owen’s chair.

  “Uh, yeah,” Owen said dumbly. He had no idea what the hell she’d just said. “I can understand about the family stuff, though.” He shrugged. It was true.

  “I’m Elsie.” She extended a hand toward Owen. Owen took it and shook it awkwardly, noticing as he did that her rainbow-colored bathing suit had shifted, exposing part of her boob. For being skinny, she certainly had a huge chest.

  So does this mean he’s not an ass man?

  “Owen. I’m from New York.” He tore his eyes away from her chest and focused them on her brown eyes. They were the same color as Chance’s, his dog in Nantucket, who they’d left with neighbors when they moved. She was kind of pretty and looked like she was Owen’s age, or even a year younger. Maybe he couldn’t understand half the words out of her mouth, and maybe she seemed like she’d already had a mimosa or two today. But he was on vacation. Why not hang out with her?

  Because of the language barrier?

  “D’you fancy going into the hot tub?” Elsie asked as she accidentally-on-purpose let the strap of her bikini top fall halfway down her shoulder. She had glittery eye makeup all around her eyes, as if she hadn’t bothered to wash her face the night before.

  Elsie was smiling devilishly at him. Owen smiled back. He’d always known girls found him attractive, but usually they were much more discreet and just flicked their hair and played with the straps on their tank tops when they talked to him. This was almost too easy. “Sure.”

  Owen took off his shirt and stood. Already, Elsie had scampered over to the oval hot tub that overlooked the ocean.

  “So, I have this buddy, Rhys,” Owen said as he slid onto the bench of the hot tub. “He’s from New York too, and I know he wants to meet new people. You mentioned your friend, who was sleeping in. Is she—”

  “Oh my God, Issy’s a right tart. It’s brilliant! They’ll love each other. And then we can also do… whatever you’d fancy.” Elsie grinned mischievously.
>
  Owen wasn’t totally sure what Elsie was saying, but it sounded suspiciously like she was already whoring out her bestie to Rhys. A little more forward than he was used to, but wasn’t that the vacation spirit? He looked down and saw a rainbow-colored piece of fabric floating in the hot water. Elsie grinned at him, like they were sharing a secret. Had she just taken her bathing suit off? This was the Caribbean, not Europe—was that even allowed?

  Somehow, I don’t think she’s the type to be concerned.

  “Well, then, should we get it done and dusted tonight, then?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.

  “I can’t tonight,” Owen said, remembering their family dinner. “But tomorrow for sure.”

  “Brilliant!” Elsie leaned back, her possibly naked chest and who knew what else concealed underwater. “Tomorrow, then.”

  Tomorrow, tomorrow—it’s only a day away!

  love game

  “Do you think it’s weird that I’ve never really had a boyfriend?” Avery asked, her eyes flicking away from her W magazine.

  Baby and Avery had spent the morning on the beach, where Baby was reading the Bitch magazine she’d bought and trying not to think about Riley. She hadn’t been able to sleep last night and had stayed up staring at the ceiling, replaying their almost-kiss in her head. It was sheer torture knowing he was sleeping in the villa right next door, but that she couldn’t go to him—not now, or ever. It’s not right, she told herself now, as she had a million times over the course of the last twenty-four hours. Layla seemed like a nice person. She liked Layla. So she was going to just forget about Riley, as hard as that seemed at this very moment. The one thing that made it all easier was knowing that after Sunday, she’d probably never see him again.

  “Okay, random.” Baby perched her vintage Marimekko-style sunglasses on top of her head and closed her magazine. Normally, she couldn’t stand lying on the beach doing nothing. She wanted to run, to jump, to explore. But after her sleepless night, it felt good to just do nothing. “No, I don’t think it’s weird. It only adds to your mystique,” Baby decided.

  “I don’t want mystique.” Avery shifted on the chair so the sun was falling on her totally flat stomach. She frowned down and squeezed a minuscule amount of skin. “Do you think I’m fat?”

  “Okay, you’ve been hanging out with Jack for way too long.” Baby rolled her eyes. Of course Avery wasn’t fat. She was tall and she wasn’t stick-thin, but she always fit into a size two or four.

  Which, compared to Baby’s size zero, could make any girl feel fat.

  “No, it’s just I don’t understand….” Avery sighed in frustration as she let the sentence trail off. Why hadn’t Rhys done anything yesterday? Last night after dinner, they’d all gone for a swim. She’d been wearing her orange Eres bikini and had practically been sticking out her chest in front of him, a very un-Avery-like move, and still, nothing. Was he not attracted to her? Was their flirtation all in her head?

  All of a sudden, she didn’t want to talk about it with Baby. She wouldn’t understand. Guys fell all over her all the time, even when she hadn’t brushed her hair or changed her clothes or washed her face. Right now, she was wearing a blue halter bikini top and baggy Brooklyn Industries shorts and still, three guys running past had given her the once-over. It was so unfair.

  “Aren’t we supposed to have Thanksgiving dinner early, at like four?” Baby grabbed her margarita and took a long gulp. “We should probably get up there.”

  “Fine,” Avery sighed. Lying here wasn’t going to help her make any headway with Rhys, anyway.

  Together, they hiked up the limestone steps toward the private pavilion that held the pool and hot tub. Each of the villas had access to the pavilion from their sitting rooms, and from inside the villa you could see the pool. The girls quickly showered and changed, then made their way to meet their family. They were having dinner on the deck of Edie and Remington’s villa, served by waiters from the restaurant.

  “You’re here!” Edie crowed as the girls approached. She was wearing a green-and-blue dress that looked like a toga, a purple orchid haphazardly tucked into her blond bob. “Happy Thanksgiving, my darlings!” Edie swooped down and kissed Avery and Baby on their heads.

  She sat back down at the head of the table, which was piled high with bowls of coconuts, pineapple, and mango. It was festive, if it didn’t exactly conjure up images of pilgrims and a harvest meal. “We were just playing a getting-to-know-you game!” Edie announced, squeezing Remington’s hand.

  Fun!

  Avery settled into the empty seat beside her mother, with Baby on her other side. Rhys was at the opposite end of the table, next to Owen. He was adjusting his napkin and she wasn’t able to catch his eye.

  “So, what we do is we go around the table, say our name, and then use an adjective that describes how we’re feeling that begins with the letter of our name. So, I’m Edie and I’m ecstatic to be here with Remy!” At this, Edie turned and kissed Remington on the lips.

  Avery tried not to stare at her mom and Remington kissing—she was sure it was like an eclipse and that too much direct eye contact would make her go blind. She realized it was her turn now. “Um.” She glanced around the table, cutting her eyes away when she reached Rhys. “I’m Avery and I’m…”

  A little bit in love with my brother’s best friend?

  “I’m always up for an adventure,” she finished lamely. It was so typical of Edie to make them play a dippy game. Back in Nantucket, they used to always play charades when guests came over. At least she hadn’t said anything too embarrassing in front of Rhys.

  Everyone looked to Baby next. She could feel Riley’s eyes boring holes into her face. He was seated across the table from her, next to Layla, but their seats were a foot apart, and no part of them was touching. “Okay,” Baby started, looking down at her plate to avoid Riley’s intense gaze. “I’m Baby and I’m—”

  “Badass!” Layla exclaimed, reaching across the table and giving her a high five.

  “I’ll second that!” Riley exclaimed. “You should have seen her on her horse yesterday!”

  Baby grinned across the table. Layla seemed so fun and cool, and the more she got to know her, the worse she felt. She caught Riley’s eye across the table, and then looked quickly away.

  “Okay, Riley, it’s your turn!” Edie announced merrily. Two servers came by and set platters of jumbo shrimp on the center of the table. Avery was grateful that her mom didn’t ask the servers to participate in their getting-to-know-you game.

  “Okay. I’m Riley and I’m really looking forward to riding again.”

  Baby looked down at the pink shrimp, knowing he was trying to make eye contact. She hoped she wasn’t blushing. Why did he have to bring up their ride?

  “Oh, a double R! Aren’t you a smart cookie!” Edie trilled, already on her third drink. She looked like she wanted to ruffle Riley’s hair, but luckily he was too far down the table.

  “Yes, I heard you were quite the trailblazer yesterday, Baby,” Remington said jovially, helping himself to more shrimp. “I didn’t know you rode. You should go again tomorrow. Won’t have many chances to ride again once you’re back in Manhattan,” he added with a wink.

  “Oh, I don’t—” Baby started, but Riley cut her off.

  “I’ll take you,” he offered, his eyes dancing. “There’s a whole other set of trails on the other side of the island we could check out.”

  “Count me out!” Layla laughed, even though she hadn’t been invited. She drained her glass. “That pony made me carsick yesterday. You couldn’t pay me to get back on one. Plus, Dad, I want to go out on the boat with you.”

  “It’s settled, then,” Riley said, nodding. “Baby and I will go tomorrow.”

  Baby nodded, not wanting to make a scene. She’d deal with this tomorrow. After all, they were only here for the weekend. How hard could it be to avoid Riley for three more days?

  “Okay.” Remington cleared his throat as the servers set down tuna
tartare, conch mini tacos, and crab rolls on the table. “I’m Remington and I’m really in love with Edie.”

  “Aw, well that makes me even more ecstatic!” Edie cooed, a salmon roll halfway to her mouth. Owen set down the lemonade pitcher with such force that the liquid overflowed on the table.

  “Nice work,” Avery murmured, passing him her napkin. Owen didn’t even try to clean up the spill, though. His jaw was set and he was glaring at Remington.

  “Listen up, kids,” Remington said as he put a hand up, oblivious to Owen’s gaze. Even the servers paused to listen. “Being here with all of you—well, it feels like a family.” He stood and raised his glass, glancing from face to face. His eyes were actually tearing up. “And I know—I am more sure than I’ve ever been—that this is what I want for the rest of my life.” He turned to Edie as everyone stared in confusion, trying to figure out what was going on. “Edie? Will you marry me?”

  Remington knelt down and pulled out a black box from his pocket, flipping it open. A five-carat diamond ring sparkled from inside the box. “Now, I know how you feel about diamonds, but this is an ethical diamond—I checked,” Remington babbled, still on one knee.

  “What?” Edie said, her mouth full. She stared down at Remington, in shock. “Of course!” she breathed, blinking her enormous eyes. “Of course we’ll get married! Does it even need to be a question?” She hugged Remington and beckoned toward the triplets. Remington looked like he was going to faint.

  “Oh my God, congratulations!” Avery cried, jumping up and hugging her mother. Sure, it was a little fast, but love was love. And if romance was in the air, maybe Rhys would get a whiff of it.

  Is monogamy now airborne?

  “You’re getting married?” Owen croaked. All the color had drained from his face, and he looked like he was about to throw up.