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

romantic, orangish glow over the water.
    “That was my choice too. Anyway, I’m so glad Owen invited me. He’s a great friend. Especially now that…” Rhys trailed off,
     a cloud passing over his brown eyes. Avery had a feeling he was thinking of his ex, Kelsey. That whole love triangle was so
     weird, and she was glad it seemed to be in the past now. The not-so-distant past, apparently, but maybe being on vacation
     would take Rhys’s mind off it. “Well, he’s just cool,” Rhys finished lamely.
    “He wasn’t always,” Avery confided. “He used to torture Baby and me when we were little. He went through one phase, when we
     were five or six, where he used to collect sand crabs and put them in our beds.” She blushed as the words left her mouth.
Crabs in her bed?
Could she have thought of a more embarrassing conversation topic?
    Only time will tell….
    “Really? That asshole! Like this one?” Rhys bent down toward the water and plucked a tiny crab from the marble-colored sand.
     Its little legs desperately clawed the air.
    “Ewww!” Avery giggled as she ran down the beach, loving the feeling of her hair whipping against her face. She suddenly remembered
     what it was like as a little kid, playing by the ocean back in Nantucket. She wasn’t worried if her boobs were bouncing or
     her dress was in danger of slipping off her shoulders, or even if she was getting salt water on her new dress. Instead, she
     just felt free, in a way she hadn’t since arriving in New York.
    “Okay. He’s gone!” Rhys called, easily jogging up to her. “Truce?” He held up his hands to prove that he wasn’t carrying any
     crabs.
    “Truce!” Avery giggled. She wasn’t sure if it was the sunset or the champagne or just the easy way Rhys wasn’t afraid to tease
     her, but suddenly, Avery didn’t feel shy anymore. “Until I get revenge,” she added, grinning.
    “Yeah? It’s on.” Rhys grabbed Avery’s hand and goofily shook it.
    Avery slowly, reluctantly, took her hand out of his. “Low tide,” she noted. The sand stretched for what seemed like miles
     into the horizon. Back in Nantucket, knowing the tide was as second nature as breathing.
    “Should we sit for a bit?” Rhys suggested.
    “Sure.” Avery smoothed out a spot of sand with her hands.
    “Wait!” Rhys pulled off his shirt and set it on the sand. “We can sit on this.” He had a defined six-pack and his chest had
     a slight hint of a tan.
    Seems like two people just missed each other at Bliss this morning!
    Just then, a buzzing sounded from the front pocket of the shirt. Avery glanced down in confusion.
    “Phone,” Rhys explained hastily as he quickly yanked it out of the pocket. He
really
hoped it wasn’t his mom. He pulled out his iPhone and glanced at the display.
    U a man yet? Remember, chicks love sunsets, champagne, and private beaches. Consider this ur tip of the day.
    Hugh. Rhys blushed. It felt really romantic being here with Avery, but Hugh’s texts made him feel like he was just putting
     the moves on her.
    “Your phone works here?” Avery asked in surprise.
    “Yeah, sorry. I’m turning it off.” Rhys firmly pressed the power button. He sat down in the sand, aware of Avery’s hip brushing
     his. All he wanted to do was sit here and relax, not think about Hugh’s playboy suggestions. Why had he even agreed to this
     absurd virginity-losing plan? This wasn’t some comedy starring Seth Rogen, it was his
life
. And when it came to Avery, sex was out of the question. She was Owen’s sister. And now that he and Owen were closer than
     ever, the last thing he wanted was to jeopardize their friendship by going for Avery.
    Avery lay back, her stomach neatly concaving from her ribs. She cutely sprawled her arms out in the sand, like she was making
     a sand angel. Rhys resisted the urge to take her hand or kiss her. Avery wasn’t the type of girl you lost your virginity to.
     She was too beautiful and precious and special. For now, they