Page 90 of False God

“What song were you going to dance to?”

She side-eyes me. “You won’t know it.”

“How do you know?”

Lili lifts an eyebrow. Pulls her mobile out of her pocket and tells it to play “Accidentally in Love” by Counting Crows.

I don’t recognize the title or the band. When the song starts playing, the melody is unfamiliar too. But it does make me wish I’d gotten to see her dance to this.

“Show me your dance.”

Lili laughs again. This one lingers for a few seconds. “Absolutely not.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s meant to be a group dance, and it wasnotchoreographed by a professional. It’s embarrassing at best, mortifying at worst. No way am I doing it now, alone.”

“Fine.” I grab her uninjured hand, then tug her toward me gently. I’m just looking for an excuse to hold her one last time, if I’m being honest. I like the way her body fits with mine, like she was always meant to be there.

The ground is uneven, the wind unforgiving. Light limited.

But we sway on the edge of a cliff, me in a suit and her in a dress and my jacket, to a silly song about falling in love accidentally. Much slower than the up-tempo beat suggests.

And I know it’s a moment that will stay with me a lot longer than she will.

21

Cheerful chatter fills the lobby as I step out of the hotel’s dining area with a paper Costa cup in hand. The sunny noise does nothing to improve my sour mood.

Lili’s friends were waiting in here when we got back last night, including a worried-looking Theo and Chloe. They all thanked me for going with her—even Tripp—before escorting a yawning Lili upstairs. I’m positive at least one of them stayed with her all night.

There was absolutely no reason to think she wouldn’t be fine, but I spent most of the night staring at the plaster ceiling, concerned anyway.

Lack of sleep, paired with irritation aboutwhyI couldn’t sleep, has trimmed my temper down to a short fuse.

Theo is standing by the lifts, talking with a group of his family members. He grins and heads this way when he sees me.

“Good morning,” he tells me.

Unlike me, Theo appears well rested, which is a surprise. Last night was his wedding night.

“Morning,” I repeat, substantially less cheerful. “And congratulations.”

I didn’t have a chance to talk to him after the wedding or before leaving with Lili.

“Thanks. I’m really glad you could make it, Charles.” Theo’s smile dims a little. “Especially with Lili’s accident. Taking her to the hospital and everything. That meant a lot. To me and to Chloe.”

I shift uncomfortably. The praise is unwarranted. And unnecessary.

“Not a problem,” I tell him.

Theo nods, his smile back in full force. “We’re headed to Saint-Tropez later today. Chloe’s family has a place down there, where we’re spending the week. Jasper’s talking about a trip to Monaco while we’re in France. I know we sort of lost touch after university and after …” He clears his throat. “Would be nice to catch up, if you want to come along.”

He’s being generous. Fig basically foisted his friendship on me, and Theo would tag along occasionally. I’m not a friend he owes any obligation or outreach to.

“I appreciate the invitation,” I reply. “But I can’t.”

This weekend was an escape from everything, but I can’t keep running from my responsibilities. I have to make my next move with investors. Decide how much I’m going to share with Louis when he visits. Check in with Blythe.

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