Love the One You're With by Cecily von Ziegesar Page B

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.
    “Yes, dear,” Edie said matter-of-factly, settling back into her chair as if this were the most ordinary of dinners. “Now,
     let’s go on with our game,” she said, a bemused expression on her face. “Rhys, it’s your turn!”
    “Hear! Hear!” Rhys loudly clinked his fork against his Baccarat glass. Riley followed suit.
    Baby hollowly began clapping. Her mom and Remington were getting
married
? So much for never seeing these people again. Remington was going to be her stepfather. Layla was going to be her stepsister
.
And with her luck, she’d probably be the bridesmaid at Layla and Riley’s wedding.
    Better than the flower girl.

bedroom stories
    Jack strode across the marble lobby of the Cashman Lofts and stepped into the private elevator to the penthouse on Thursday
     evening, a woman on a mission. She hoped J.P.’s family was done with dinner, so she and J.P. could go upstairs and do it already.
    Happy Thanksgiving!
    She glanced at herself in the gilt gold mirror in the elevator and smoothed her hair. She tried not to be annoyed that all
     her careful planning had been foiled. Originally, she’d thought they’d get together tonight at her