Page 39 of False God

Before walking away, my aunt shoots me a small, encouraging smile. She knows about my history with Cal, justlike everyone else here. Over Violet’s shoulder, I can see Gigi looking this way. She approved of my decision to date Cal. Disapproved of my decision to break up with him, which is the recurrent reaction.

“Nice to see you, Violet,” I add.

“You too.” Violet fiddles with a gold bracelet on her wrist, a forced smile on her face.

Cal and I went to school with Violet up until ninth grade, when she left New York to attend a private boarding school in Connecticut. I’ve seen her a handful of times since, but I don’t think we’ve actually spoken in over a decade. That’s not why this is so uncomfortable though.

Violet’s beautiful, her auburn hair carefully curled and her dress the same shade of blue as the clear sky above. I hope Cal truly likes her, but the way he hasn’t broken eye contact with me since they appeared makes me think she’s a pawn in the game I quit playing.

“Did you guys make it to the parade this morning?” I ask.

Not my best attempt at small talk, but better than standing in uncomfortable silence.

“We were planning on it, but it was so hot …” Violet’s voice trails off as she glances at Cal. “Cal suggested we skip it this year.”

“Good call,” I say. “It was pretty unpleasant out.” Still is actually.

“Did you guys still have your tennis match?”

I make sure all the warmth in my expression has drained away before looking at Cal. “Yes, we did.”

He participated in the family tournament the two years we were dating. A few times before, back when we had been just friends. I can’t tell if he’s reminiscing about our relationship or our friendship, which bothers me. I’m only interested in resuscitating one of them.

“Cal’s been telling me about the plans for Chloe’s wedding,” Violet comments. “It sounds like it’ll be an amazing trip. I’m sad I have to miss it.”

“Oh. I assumed you …”

Violet sighs, then shakes her head. “I can’t take the time off work.”

I was banking on her being Cal’s date to the wedding. I even told Tripp to make sure that Cal knew Violet was welcome on the jet tomorrow, and he saidnothingto me about Cal’s girlfriend not coming with us.

I take a sip of my drink, tempted to drain the whole glass. “Where do you work, Violet?”

“At Maxwell & Lewis,” she answers.

I’ve heard of it. It’s a popular interior design firm in Manhattan.

“Vi really spiffed up my parents’ place,” Cal says.

“That’s great,” I say, trying to come up with some excuse to go … anywhere else. Getting stuck in a conversation with my ex and his new girlfriend is not an ideal start to the evening.

“Hell of a party, Kensington.”

I relax as soon as I hear Tripp’s booming voice, even more when he tugs me into his side for a hug.

Hugo is right behind him, followed by Malcolm Crane. I’ve never liked Malcolm very much, mostly because he makes a point to flirt shamelessly every time we interact. My aversion is nothing compared to my dad’s though. He hates the Crane family for some reason.

Malcolm won’t flirt with me now. Not in front of Cal. Most of the guys I grew up with still consider me “his.” Italmostmakes me want to ask Malcolm to get me another drink.

“I can’t take any credit,” I tell Tripp. “This is all Gigi.”

“You’re here, Lili. That’s why half these people showed up.”

I roll my eyes. Tripp is exaggerating. But there’s a kernel of truth to it. I’m Crew and Scarlett Kensington’s oldest child and only daughter. Just because I chose not to get involved in any of my family’s businesses, people still care about what I do. Where I go. What I say.

Because I might not have any part in my family’s businesses right now, but I’m set to inherit a massive stake in all of them.

I’m distracted by a waving Madeline Spencer. We attended the same private schools but didn’t become close friends until I transferred to Cornell.

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