Page 12 of False God

Pieces are slowly clicking together in my mind. This must be Scarlett Kensington, also known as …

“Mom, they were out of?—”

Lili stops speaking as soon as she sees me, a bottle of sparkling water clutched in one hand.

Immediately, I realize why Scarlett looked so familiar. She’s an older version of the woman I met in a stable—and then a wood-paneled lobby—last summer.

The woman who’s suddenly standing right in front of me.

“Whatever we’re out of, ask Indy,” Asher says, interrupting the silence that feels glaring but has probably only lasted a few seconds. “Or I can take a look. I was just wrapping up a meeting.”

Without glancing over, I can tell he’s still smiling. Emanating a friendliness that’s much warmer than obligatory.

Kensington Consolidated must employ hundreds of people. Maybe thousands. Even considering Asher’s prominent position in the company, I didn’t expect that he knew the family personally, much less that I’d run into any Kensingtons during this short visit.

“We didn’t mean to interrupt,” Scarlett says.

“No interruption,” Asher replies.

My gaze remains on Lili as they talk. I’m still processing her unexpected appearance. That she’s suddenly … here.Fuck. My memory didn’t do justice to how bloody gorgeous she is.

She’s staring back, blue eyes sucking me in like a siren seducing a sailor lost at sea.

“… glad I could introduce you to?—”

I’m still distracted, but I register enough of what Asher said to realize he’s trying to introduce me to Lili as well. “We’ve actually?—”

“Elizabeth Kensington.” Lili holds a hand out, a polite smile I can’t see through pinned on her face as she interrupts me with the same cool confidence I’ve encountered before.

Annoyance flares in response, hot and bright and stifling. I have to work hard to keep the flood of irritation off my face, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of seeing it in my expression.

Lili’s fingers are cool as they wrap around mine, her nails painted an icy shade that matches her eyes, which don’t drop from mine. Unflinching blue irises reveal nothing, like the calm surface of a mountain lake.

This woman must play a lot of poker. And if she doesn’t, it’s a missed opportunity to add to her sizable fortune. I have absolutely no idea what she’s thinking. That only adds to my aggravation because I’m usually excellent at reading people.

“Nice to meet you,” I grit out.

Pretty sure that was my same response the last time she reintroduced herself to me.

One of her eyebrows lifts. “And you are …”

I’m silent.

A flash of amusement appears on her face, but it’s gone from her expression before I can blink twice. I’m not sure if she’s entertained by my muteness or if she’s messing with me.

Am I that bloody forgettable?

A question I’m certain Elizabeth Kensington wouldn’t have a complimentary answer to. This is the third time we’ve met, and she’s acted like each one was a first encounter.

A wrinkle forms on her forehead, the longer I hesitate. Whatshe’sfrustrated by, I have no clue.

“Charles Marlborough,” I say, wondering if Lili is experiencing the same flash of déjà vu when I introduce myself to her … again.

It’s been almost a year. There’s a good chance that shehasforgotten that we’ve met before.

The possibility does nothing to improve my declining mood.

We stare at each other for a few more seconds. Lili looks away first. I shake my head once, refocusing on why I’m really here.

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