Page 73 of False God

“Nice,” I say instead.

“How’d it go last night?” The question comes out rushed, like he’s been holding it back.

“It was fine.”

Fucking understatement, but I barely know this guy. I’m not going to go into detail. To mention that last night was full of firsts for me. First time I ate a meal with a woman, just the two of us. First time I woke up with someone else in the bed. First time I wasn’t eager to get out of there.Sheleft first, for Christ’s sake.

“I’ll see you at the wedding,” I add, then continue walking.

I need some coffee before more conversation. Preferably a shower too.

“Charles.”

I glance back. “Yeah?”

Tripp shoves his hands into his pockets. “I’ve been the guy who gives no fucks before, so I know this makes me a hypocrite. And Lili can make her own choices. But you hurt her, and I’ll kick your ass. I won’t be the only one taking a swing at you either.”

My jaw works as I stare at him. “Who I fuck is none of your business.”

Tripp stiffens. “Lili’s my business.”

“Because she broke up with your buddy?”

I don’t fully understand the dynamics among Lili’s friends. I’ve never been part of a large group like that, bouncing between boarding schools.

Tripp’s eyes flash. “Becausesheis mybuddy.”

“You meddle in all your buddies’ lives or just hers?”

Tripp tenses even more. “All of them. It’s called caring about someone, Marlborough. Maybe you should try it sometime.”

My fingers curl tight around the handle of my duffel. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“Exactly. That’s why?—”

“Morning, guys.” Cal Winston is walking this way, dressed similarly to Tripp.

Just makes my attire stand out more, and I watch a muscle in Cal’s jaw jump as he puts together what me standing in the lobby in last night’s clothes means. I feel smugger about that than I should. I’ve never given a flying shit about a woman’s exes before. But I don’t like that Lili dated him. That he ever let her feel like her money mattered to him.

I know what it’s like for someone to look at you and only see one aspect of your identity—a piece you had no control over. It fucking sucks.

“Morning.” I keep my greeting short, eager to get out of here before more of Lili’s friends show up.

“Have you seen Fran?” Cal asks Tripp. “She was supposed to pick out a tie for me.”

“She’s probably in the bridal suite, getting her hair and makeup done,” I say, then continue walking toward the elevator.

Jab the button twice, then release a long exhale as soon as the doors slide closed.

Undecided if I should have said more or less just now.

17

Four pairs of curious eyes land on me as soon as I walk into Chloe’s bridal suite. The only person who pays me no attention is the stranger I assume must be the makeup artist, who’s busy spreading foundation on Gwen’s face.

Chloe’s sister gives me a jaunty wave. “Hey, Lili!”

Her chipper chirp is an assault on my eardrums. My whole head feels like it’s vibrating.

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