Page 57 of False God

“Yeah.”

“Did he remember you?”

“I think so. I pretended not to know him though.”

She laughs. “What? Why?”

“I don’t know.”

It’s not a complete lie. I might have been harboring some residual anger about the insults I’d overheard, but I was mostly just … stunned to see him standing with Asher. And knowing Chloe, if I confided the full truth, I’m sure it would end with her storming downstairs to tell Charlie off. I’ve forgiven him—mostly—so that’d be totally unnecessary.

A glance at the clock makes my heart speed up double time. Five minutes to eight.

I pick up the red lipstick, slicking a layer across my bottom lip, then my upper one, blotting carefully before dropping the black tube in my Birkin.

I make sure I have my phone and my room key, then blow a kiss to Chloe. “Have a good night.”

“You too.” Chloe’s smile is sly as she follows me out into the hallway.

And into the elevator.

“Please tell me you’re not escorting me to the lobby.”

Her shrug is sheepish. “Hugo suggested we meet for dinner at eight …”

I groan, resting my head back against the wall as the elevator descends. “Are youkiddingme?”

They were all there when Charlie announced what time he was picking me up. I should have been more suspicious about their conspicuous lack of nosiness, aside from Chloe showing up at my room, and seen it as a warning sign, but I was too busy—and nervous—getting ready.

My friends’ lack of boundaries has never bothered me much before. We’re a close-knit crew, and I appreciate knowing they always have my back.

Tonight? Tonight, I would appreciate some subtlety.

“If it helps, I said it was a bad idea.”

“Bridget and Fran went along with it?”

Chloe’s lips twitch. “Bridget said she wanted to see him in a suit. Fran was, uh, napping.”

I sigh as the elevator doors slide open. He’d better be wearing a suit. Otherwise, I’m tragically overdressed. If Charlie’d stuck around the track, I would have asked where we were going on our date. Since he didn’t, I went full glam.

Jasper spots me exiting the elevator first, sticking two fingers in his mouth and letting out a loud wolf whistle. Cal, Tripp, Hugo, Fran, and Bridget turn in unison, their expressions ranging from delight (Fran) to disapproval (Cal).

A quick scan of the lobby reveals no sign of Charlie, which is a small relief. I can go wait outside and avoid this entire scene.

“Not cool, guys,” I call out, stalking past them. The tap of my heels against the hardwood floor emphasizes my annoyance nicely.

Bridget shouts after me, “You look hot, Lili!”

“Ask him where the fuck he learned to drive like that,” is Tripp’s contribution.

I hear Chloe hiss, “Could wenotshout swears in the lobby of mywedding venue?” before I step outside.

The sun is just setting, bathing the gravel driveway in golden light. I inhale a deep breath that tastes like honeysuckle, stopping just past the second set of columns. I glance back at the red-brick building, the brilliance of the sunset blinding in the reflection of the windows.

Crunching gravel makes me spin back around. Instead of the town car I’m expecting, the same black Mercedes bus that’s shuttled our group around this week is stopping in front of the door I just walked out of. Blake climbs out, giving me a respectful nod, then slides the back door open.

I know what’s about to take place before it does: the loud boom of Tripp’s baritone announcing his imminent arrival.

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