Page 102 of Love so Hot

I knock on River's door, my heart pounding. What if he turns me away? What if?—

The door swings open, and there's River, looking annoyingly put-together in ripped jeans and a faded Greenpeace T-shirt.

He raises an eyebrow. "What's up?"

I open my mouth, but all that comes out is a pathetic little sob. Real smooth.

River's expression softens slightly. "Hey, what's the matter?"

I take a shaky breath. "I, uh, kind of had a massive fight with my parents. Can I crash here for a bit?"

He hesitates for a second, and I'm sure he's going to say no. But then he sighs and steps aside. "Fine. Come on in."

As I follow him into the cramped apartment, I can't help but notice the slight annoyance in his voice. Great. I'm alreadyoverstaying my welcome, and I've been here for all of thirty seconds.

I slump onto River's threadbare couch, fiddling with a loose thread on my hemp skirt. "So, um, I was trying to tell my dad about exploring alternative energy sources instead of going to UPenn, and he just?—"

River cuts me off with a wave of his hand. "Look, no offense, but I'm not really interested in the family drama of the ironically named Greene coal empire."

Ouch. That stings more than I want to admit. "But that's why I left," I protest, my voice embarrassingly whiny. "I can't stand being associated with all that environmental destruction anymore."

He just shrugs, his piercing green eyes unimpressed. I feel about two inches tall.

"I mean, I do feel bad about my mom," I mumble, more to myself than to River. "Maybe I should call her, just to let her know I'm okay?—"

"No." River's voice is sharp, cutting through my rambling. "You can't contact your mother, or anyone else from your old life. If you're really starting over, you need a clean break. New name, new identity,

the works."

My stomach does an uneasy flip. "But?—"

"No buts," he says firmly. "You want to be one of us? This is how it has to be."

I bite my lip, torn between the urge to argue and my desperate need to belong somewhere. In the end, my cowardice wins out. "Okay," I whisper. "So... what should my new name be?"

Chapter Forty-Nine

Lawrence

Present

I shuffle the papers in front of me and shoot a glance at Jason. He gives me a nod, all meticulous composure and sharp angles, his thin-rimmed glasses catching the light as he leans back in his chair. The conference room feels too big for just the two of us, with its sprawling mahogany table and the faint hum of the air conditioner.

"Relax," Jason murmurs, eyes fixed on the door. "You've got this."

I'm about to respond when the door swings open. Billy Hargraves strides in, his presence filling the room. His gaze is stern, his brows knitted but there's something in his eyes that isn't just hard business.

"Mr. Sinclair," he greets, extending a hand that swallows mine. His grip is firm.

"Call me Lawrence," I say, plastering on a smile. "And I believe you know my CFO, Jason Whitaker."

"Nice to see you," Jason says, offering a curt nod, his voice smooth.

"Jay," Billy nods back before taking a seat across from us. "My secretary tells me you simply wouldn't give up and demanded a meeting. I like your gusto. So, let's hear what you've got."

I dive right in. "The pipeline from Greenwood Hollow to Norfolk is more than steel and valves. It's a lifeline, connecting resources to needs, rural to urban."

I lean forward, my palms flat against the table. "And your investment? It's the spark that lights the whole thing up. Legitimacy. It will breed high returns, new jobs, growth for everyone involved."