Page 145 of Dream Girl
Riley stood there, with the fridge open, pouring champagne into a giant mug. She held it out to me. “For the birthday girl.”
Brennan took it from her hand. “It’s before lunch. That means you have to put juice in it. Why a mug? We have an entire cabinet of proper glassware.”
“Really?” Riley got out the apple juice.
I nodded. “Yep, like how you can have vodka for breakfast if you add tomato juice, hot sauce, and celery.”
Jett put bacon on the kitchen table and made a face. “Well, that’s one way to get your vegetables.”
Spencer came into the kitchen fully dressed in his usual nice suit. Everyone else was in their pajamas.
Evan brought me a cup of coffee. I sat down at the kitchen table. Unlike the dining room, the kitchen table didn’t have assigned seats.
Riley placed a giant glass beer mug filled with champagne and apple juice. “What?” she said to Brennan as she squeezed in between Jett and Spencer. “It’s from the cabinet with the glasses.”
Wes and Evan sat on either side of me.
“Thank you.” I took a sip. It wasn’t a combination I had before, but not unpleasant. At least I had nothing planned for the day until later when Evan was taking Riley and me dress shopping for the gala.
We had pancakes, bacon, fried potatoes, and scrambled eggs with cheese and vegetables. As we ate, Riley cheerfully regaled us with stories about her and her friends at school, Brennan and Wes chiming in since they’d gone there, too.
“Thank you so much for breakfast,” I said to Jett and Evan as we finished. It had been nice of them to do that.
“Now it’s time for presents,” Jett said as Brennan cleared the table.
“I’m first.” Riley plopped a black bag with black sparkly tissue onto my lap.
Nestled in the tissue was a black shirt that had been shredded and studded and turned into a work of art. It saidRockland Raidersin silver and purple. Riley’s favorite skate smash team.
“Thank you, it’s amazing,” I told her. “You did this yourself?”
“I did. I also got us tickets to see them play the Capitol Crushers, which is pretty much the best team in the PSSL. Me and you. No boys. It’ll be so fun.” Riley beamed with pride.
“I’m excited, thank you, wow, that will be so much fun,” I exclaimed. We’d watched a game on TV together the other day and it had been fun.
Brennan’s eyebrows rose. “You can’t go to a sporting event by yourselves.”
“Um, I went with my friends a couple of weeks ago. Also, I’m pretty sure Grace is an adult. However, if you overprotective fucknuggets want to use your own money to go, fine. I’ll let you know where we’re sitting.” She scratched her nose with her middle finger.
“You did this yourself with your own money? I’m honored. Thank you.” Wow, that was quite a purchase for a teenager.
“Pretty sure Ri has more money than most of us,” Jett joked. “If you and your boyfriend get serious, you’re going to have to go honest, considering his dad is a police sergeant.”
Riley scowled. “We’re not dating, fuck you very much. Also, my work is for the greater good.”
Spencer gave her a sharp look. “We’ve talked about this. You also made your sisters a promise.”
“I’m not doing that, well, mostly. Just stupid shit the rich kids pay me for. When can I get a work permit? Because if you’re going to make me an honest woman, then I need an honest paycheck, because my retirement island isn’t going to buy itself.” Riley leaned back in her chair.
“Sixteen–so, November,” Spencer replied. “We’re expanding our summer internship program to include high school students. You’re welcome to apply. It is paid, but not much. It will get you in the door. We have two sessions. Hopefully one of them doesn’t clash with any other plans you’ve made.”
“Ooh, really? I can’t wait. Working for you is going to be fun.” She bounced in her chair.
“You do know that you’ll be working with Wes, right?” Brennan laughed as he rinsed something off in the sink and then loaded it into the dishwasher.
“Fuck, no,” Riley scoffed. “No offense, Wes, but I’m going to work with Grace.”
“What exactly would a hacker and a mathematician do for a biotech company? Sounds like the start of a joke,” Brennan teased, refilling everyone’s coffee.
