Page 177 of False God

My heels echo loudly on the marble floor as I walk into the entryway of my grandfather’s mansion, Charlie’s hand clasped between mine in the tightest grip possible. He shocked me, showing up in New York a day earlier than he was supposed to.

I shouldn’t have been that surprised though. For someone who’s never been in a relationship, he’s as naturally good at it as he seems to be at everything else.

Since I left London two weeks ago, he called me every evening to ask about my day despite the time difference. He showed up on my doorstep with flowers because it’s “tradition.” And he didn’t act the least bit bored when we spent hours this afternoon wandering through the botanical garden in Brooklyn despite undoubtedly being exhausted from an overnight flight and the several rounds of sex that followed his arrival at my apartment.

I glance at the portrait that hangs in the center of the marble staircase, just above the split in the steps, as I lead Charlie toward the sitting room. It’s a painting of the original Kensington family—my grandfather, my grandmother, Oliver,and my dad. My grandfather has never taken it down, the way Charlie’s father removed his mother’s portraits. The diamond ring on my grandmother’s hand is the same one Mom wears now, the diamond bracelet on her wrist the same one I’m wearing right now.

We’re the last to arrive. In a remarkable show of self-restraint, Charlie only complained about the traffic twice on the drive here.

At least this is the last time he’ll be visiting me in New York for a while. I accepted the job offer in Dublin and will be relocating to Ireland at the end of next week for several months. During that stretch, I’m anticipating most of my weekends will be spent in London. Charlie is moving back into a flat he owns there since he reenrolled in Oxford’s medical school and it’s a much more reasonable commute than living at Newcastle. It’s unlikely I’ll be back in New York until the holidays.

Ben and Jerry, the beagles my parents adopted, are first to greet us. They’re not related, but they were found together. The shelter suggested they go to the same home, and Dad told me—with an eye roll—Mom demanded the same.

Unsurprisingly, he’s now the one who insists they come everywhere with my parents.

I squat to pet Ben, who happily flops on his back for a belly rub. Jerry is more reserved, sniffing at Charlie’s shoes.

“You’re late,” Kit drawls.

I give Ben one final pat, then straighten. “Did Mom tell you six thirty instead of seven thirty? That’s the only explanation for why you’re here on time.”

Bash laughs, slouched in the armchair next to the fireplace.

“We’re just glad you made it,” Mom says, playing the role of peacemaker as she approaches. “It’s so good to see you, Charlie.”

“You too, Scarlett.”

He gives my mom a hug, and then she squeezes me.

“I told Kit seven,” she whispers to me.

My dad walks toward us next, both beagles racing toward him. Most people who know my father would probably assume it’s because he’s the pack leader, but I’m certain it’s because he feeds them more treats than my mom does.

He smiles down at the dogs before offering a hand to Charlie. “Welcome back to New York.”

“Thank you. It’s nice to be back.”

They share a long look that I hold my breath during.

I know Charlie has met my father before—I know Dad likes him because he told me so—but this is the first time my family is meeting Charlie as my boyfriend. The only other guy they’ve met in that capacity was Cal, and that was under very different circumstances. My parents knew his parents. My grandfather knew his grandparents. He’d spent years around my family as my friend, so the transition to more—while not entirely smooth—was fairly easy.

Charlie’s different in every way.

My brothers stand to greet us next, and my grandfather is the last.

Grandpa gives me a hug while Bash tells Charlie about the grizzly bear he saw in Alaska, pulling out his phone to share photos.

“You look happy, Lili,” he tells me after dropping a kiss to the top of my head.

“I am,” I reply.

I sneak a glance at Charlie, who’s asking Kit about work. Kit’s now an official employee at Kensington Consolidated and seems more enthused about the job since he’s actually started there. I suspect his secretary has something to do with it.

“Excited about your trip to Ireland?” Grandpa asks.

“Very,” I tell him. “You should come visit with Mom and Dad.”

They’re planning to visit Dublin in October.

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