Love the One You're With Read Free Page A

manning the six-burner stove.
    “Ah, yes!” He wiped his hands on the back of his pants and walked over to the counter.
    “As you know, your mom is very important to me. And you kids have all become important to me.” Remington awkwardly leaned
     over to try to ruffle Owen’s blond hair. Owen, who at six foot two was not exactly hair-ruffling height, ducked away. “So,
     I thought we could all go away together. You three, Edie and I, and Layla—it’ll be a great way for us to all get to know each
     other. I’ve booked us a few villas on Shelter Cay. I used to own the island. I sold the property years ago, but it’s still
     one of my favorite places.” Remington drifted back to the stove, as if he’d just announced they were going out to dinner.
    “Your island?” Avery asked in confusion.
    “Just a small one in the Bahamas. It was one of my first investments. But they still treat me well there.” Remington smiled.
    “Isn’t that terrific?” Edie said, her eyes shining. “Of course, if you kids have anyone you want to bring—like maybe your
     friend Jack?—you’re welcome to. The more the merrier! Everyone should have
fun
on Thanksgiving,” Edie said definitively.
    “Sure, thanks!” Avery said, excited. A tropical vacation and she could bring Jack? She pushed the plate of brownies away as
     if it was contaminated. She had so much to do! She needed a new bathing suit, and a few new Lilly Pulitzer dresses, and a
     self-tanner appointment at Bliss…. She quickly pulled her pink Filofax out of her bag.
    “Great,” Owen muttered, practically stomping out of the kitchen.
    “Wait!” Avery commanded, hurrying after him.
    “Owen,” Baby said, sliding off her chair and following her brother and sister down the hallway like the loyal sibling she
     was.
    “I can’t believe this!” Owen exclaimed once they were in his bedroom. Back when they were little, they used to have triplet
     meetings in their backyard tree house. They hadn’t had one in ages. Now, standing on Owen’s dirty laundry–covered floor, Avery
     felt both old and young. “He’s been dating mom for, like, a
month
,” Owen spat angrily.
    “Calm down. They’re in love. You don’t need to be an asshole just because this year there won’t be any tofurkey to cook. Is
     that why you’re upset?” Baby teased. Ever since Owen was twelve, he’d taken it upon himself to be in charge of Thanksgiving
     dinner.
    “No.” Clearly, Owen was not in the mood. “It’s just… who is this guy, telling us what we’re doing for Thanksgiving?” He plopped
     down on his flannel-sheeted bed and looked at his sisters, who both had their arms crossed and were staring down at him like
     mismatched bookends.
    “So, let me get this straight. Would you prefer if Mom invited her Brooklyn artist friends and had us all spend the day doing
     performance art?” Baby asked.
    “We probably won’t even see them once we get there, right?” Avery pointed out. “Anyway, it’s nice that they want us to invite
     friends. You should bring Rhys,” she suggested, changing the subject.
    In the most subtle of ways.
    “I guess so. Look, I think I’m going to skip the ‘family’ dinner and head over to Hugh’s. He’s having some people over.” Owen
     went into the bathroom and closed the door. The triplet meeting was clearly over.
    “Fine!” Baby said in a singsongy voice, not wanting to indulge Owen’s pouty mood.
    “Fine,” Avery echoed. Owen was being seriously immature, but if he was going to hang out with the swim team guys, he’d have
     the perfect opportunity to invite Rhys on vacation. Avery could picture herself on a beach, in her Milly bikini, the salty
     air blowing through her hair as a bare-chested Rhys offered her a daiquiri with a dainty straw. “Fine,” she said again, but
     it was better than fine. It was
perfect.
    Here’s hoping Mr. Manners doesn’t have plans of his own.

b meets her match
    Remington looked up from the green