Page 19 of Love so Hot

They're shaking in their vegan boots.

Lawrence

Those boots are probably compostable, too.

Don't worry, I'll tread lightly.

Sebastian

Please, Larry, when have you ever tread lightly?

Lawrence

Never.

But there's a first time for everything.

And don't call me Larry!

Roman

Sure, and maybe I'll cook a five-star meal without burning down the kitchen.

The absurdity of his statement is mirrored only by his culinary disasters. It's still a mystery to me how he successfully runs restaurant franchises.

Lawrence

Stick to takeout, Roman.

I grin at the thought of his last attempt—an inedible concoction that even the raccoons turned their noses up at.

I flick on the TV with a sense of smug confidence.

Lawrence

You guys should see the coverage

it's like I'm the hero of Greenwood Hollow

The words roll off my tongue—or thumb, rather—flavored with the arrogance that comes easy when I'm riding high on public approval.

Victor

Man, you must be watching some other channel.

The skepticism in his text is as clear as if he's speaking right next to me.

Sebastian

Turn on the news

Lawrence

Fine.

I grumble, punching the remote with more force than necessary. The screen blurs for a moment before settling on the local news. A knot forms in my stomach as I watch the anchor—her expression stern—launch into a tirade about the heartless executive heartlessly threatening the local ecosystem. Me. Heartless.

Lawrence

---