Page 180 of False God

“Just us,” Chloe replies. “Wetriedto sleep in, but the walls in this place are kind of thin.”

Lili chooses this moment to walk into the dining room. Shoots me a dirty look.

Theo fails at hiding his smile behind his paper.

“I’m going to take a quick ride,” I say, then swallow a bite of scone.

It’s been more than a week since I last rode Kensington. Over a month since I last visited my father’s grave. Life has been extra hectic lately. I was studying for and then taking my final examinations. Lili was working on a project in Scotland. Blythe spent a few days here before traveling to London to see her friends. She lives in New York now, working as a fashion blogger forHaute.

Lili nods. I give her a kiss, wave at Theo and Chloe, then head for the stables.

Kensington greets me with a soft nicker. Blows out his belly when I tighten his girth. Ambles good-naturedly toward the mounting block.

I don’t press the pace, enjoying the blue skies and the familiar scenery. It’s a beautiful day.

Ten minutes later, I reach the cemetery.

Except … it looks nothing like it.

I dismount from Kensington. He yanks the reins from my limp hand, stealing a chance for unrestricted grass access.

And just … stare.

Until I hear the sound of approaching hoofbeats.

“I figured this was where you were heading.” Lili swings down from Gilbert’s saddle, letting him join a grazing Kensington.

She walks over, grabbing my left hand with both of hers and resting her cheek against my bicep.

I swallow thickly. “I can’t believe you did this.”

“Do you like it?”

There’s hesitancy in her voice I’m surprised to hear, unsure how she could think I wouldn’t.

“I love it. I loveyou.” I kiss the top of her head, then look straight back at the graveyard to admire it again.

The stone wall is still here, but it’s unrecognizable. There’s a wooden archway over the opening in the piled rocks, blooming greenery beginning to climb over it. I spot the familiar shape of ivy. Smell the fragrance of the wild roses.

Purple bushes stand on either side of the archway while a mix of red, pink, and yellow tulips runs the entire length of the wall in both directions.

It’s beautiful. All of it.

The grayness of graves and rocks doesn’t look depressing amid the brilliant spray of color.

It’s the kind of final resting place I wanted to give my father but was too overwhelmed and confused andangryto pursue it three years ago.

“It won’t look like this in the winter,” Lili tells me. “I can plant some evergreens and put in a box hedge. But all the flowers are perennials, so they should?—”

I cut her off with a kiss, crushing her against me so quickly that she stumbles.

“Marry me.”

Lili blanches, then releases a surprised huff. “Most clients just offer me a bonus if they’re really happy with a project.”

I smile. She does too.

And then our mutual amusement fades as we stare at each other, the moment gaining a new weight.

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