Page 16 of False God

“Okay. But we’re going to bringsomething, so any preferences?”

Mom laughs. “Wine.”

“Got it.” He types something. “Hannah said she’ll be home by six.”

“Perfect. Come over whenever.”

“Is it just the four of us?”

“Yes. My kids all have plans, and Asher and Sophie are busy.”

“Bowling league?” Oliver guesses.

“Dog agility class.”

Oliver smirks, then shakes his head.

“We passed … Kit’s office,” Mom says.

Oliver sobers, slipping his phone away and then straightening his tie. “It felt right.”

I look out the windows. It’s still raining, tiny rivers streaking the glass and blurring the view.

“It’ll mean a lot to him,” Mom tells Oliver. “Tobothof them.”

The office door opens again.

Asher appears, a folder in one hand, which he holds out to Oliver. “Take a look at this when you have a chance. Let me know your thoughts.”

Oliver nods, walking over to his desk and setting it down.

“How much longer are you ladies gracing us with your presence?” Asher asks.

Mom checks her watch. “Not long. I promised Celeste I’d stop byHaute’s office to sign off on a couple of things in person. And give Lili a chance to raid the closet before her big Europe trip.” She smiles at me.

“I didn’t hear you were headed to Europe this summer, Lili,” Asher says.

I nod. “My best friend is getting married in Wales next week. Her fiancé is British.”

“Married. Wow. When did you get old enough to have friends who are old enough to get married?” Oliver asks, shaking his head.

“You’re telling me,” Mom says. “I’ll see you tonight.” She looks at Oliver. “And you and Sophie soon,” she says to Asher.

“Definitely,” Asher confirms. “She’ll be ecstatic you’re in town.”

We say goodbye to Oliver and Asher, then head toward the elevators.

Mom’s staring atKensington Consolidated, affixed to the wall in silver letters between the two banks. I don’t even have to look to know what it says.

“Is it weird for you, being back here?” I ask.

My family split time between coasts because of her job, not Dad’s. But I know Dad worked here at one point, and it made enough of an impression on Mom that she remembers his office two decades later.

“A little,” she replies, still looking thoughtful.

“Because Dad stopped working here or because Kit is about to?”

“Both.”

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