Love so Hot (Misfit Millionaires #1)

Chapter 28Lawrence

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lawrence

Present

The moment we step through the grand doors of the venue, a buzz of anticipation zings through me. Willow's hand feels cool and steady in mine despite the fact that this is it—our big reveal. In the afternoon sun, I squint past the crowd, searching for familiar faces.

The charity wine festival is a lively scene, with the grassy field bustling with people enjoying the day. There's a friendly polo match happening in the background, adding a touch of excitement to the relaxed atmosphere. Rows of tents showcase a variety of wines, their inviting scents mixing with the aroma of delicious food from nearby vendors. The crowd is a cheerful mix of folks, chatting and laughing as they stroll around with glasses in hand. Everyone seems relaxed, but I know as well as anyone that discussions had here can be more important than those had in a boardroom.

"Ready?" I ask her, trying to keep my voice from betraying any nerves.

"Absolutely," she replies with a confidence that makes me believe this might actually work.

There they are. Sebastian, Roman, and Victor, clustered near the open bar, looking like the last three kings of some undiscovered country. The thought makes me smirk—a nervous tic more than anything. I steer us towards them, hoping my friends will buy into this whole charade. They'll be our trial run.

"Hey, guys," I say as we approach.

"Lawrence, you made it," Sebastian greets me with his signature half-smile, then turns his attention to Willow. "And this must be..."

"Willow," she introduces herself before I can get a word in edgewise. Her deep green hair is outlandish compared to the sea of fake blondes, a visual punch that screams 'I'm here and different.' But her handshake is firm, her smile genuine. "Nice to meet you all."

"Sebastian." He nods at her acknowledgment. "Roman, Victor—meet my fiancée."

"Charmed," Roman says, his tone light but his eyes sharp as he gives her a once-over. I can almost hear his brain ticking, dissecting our every move.

Victor's scrutinizing gaze doesn't let up either, but when he shakes her hand, there's a gentleness there that tells me he's at least giving her a chance. "Good to meet you, Willow."

"Likewise," Willow responds, her poise unshaken by the weight of their stares.

"Let's grab a drink, shall we?" I suggest, relief flooding me as the initial introductions go smoother than expected.

"Lead the way," Roman chimes in, already beckoning a waiter over with a casual wave.

As we mingle, glasses in hand, I steal glances at Willow, taking in how she's holding up. If she's rattled, she doesn't show it. Instead, she's all easy smiles and attentive nods, like she's been part of this world forever and not just playing a part.

"Here's to new beginnings," I toast, raising my glass.

"New beginnings," they echo, and we all drink to that.

Sebastian leans in, his glasses catching the glint of the sunlight. "I hear you're interested in the environment."

Willow looks a little uneasy, casting me a sideways glance. I give her a reassuring nod. These guys aren't the ones that she needs to be careful around, but I appreciate her caution this time.

"Yes," she responds to Sebastian. "I actually have a degree in environmental science."

Sebastian's features light up. "Oh, then I'm sure you'll be interested to know that I've been following the developments in bioremediation tech. Fascinating stuff."

Willow's eyes begin to sparkle, green like her hair, as she steps into his space with confidence. "Absolutely. The potential for mycorestoration is remarkable. Fungi could revolutionize the way we handle pollutants."

"Indeed," Sebastian agrees, his tone warming slightly. "Particularly with oil spills. I read a paper recently on the use of oyster mushrooms to break down hydrocarbons."

"Exactly." She nods, animated. "And it's not just clean-up; prevention is key. We need to invest in technologies that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels to begin with."

I watch, impressed. Here's Willow, holding court with Sebastian, who's notorious for grilling anyone who can't keep up with him. Her passion is palpable, her knowledge extensive. She's not just some environmental crusader; she's an expert.

"Have you considered the role of AI in optimizing these processes?" Sebastian asks, the corner of his mouth twitching towards a smile.

"AI has huge potential," Willow responds without missing a beat. "Smart systems could lead to smarter resource management. If only more companies would embrace that."

"Maybe they will, now that you're... joining forces with Lawrence here?" Sebastian says, a question in his voice, shooting me a glance that’s more curious than accusatory.

"Maybe," she says, a spark of mischief in her voice. It's all part of the act, but damn if she isn't convincing.

"Speaking of smart," Roman interjects, slinging an arm around Willow's shoulder and steering her away from us with a grin. "Anyone fancy making this afternoon a bit more interesting?"

"Roman," I warn, but he's already got Willow laughing.

"Come on, Larry. Lighten up." He winks at me and then whispers something to Willow that has her raising an eyebrow in amusement.

"Alright, what's the game?" she asks, intrigued despite herself.

"Nothing too scandalous," Roman promises. "Just a little underground betting pool on the polo match. Consider it a locals' tradition."

"Underground betting pool?" she echoes, the corners of her mouth twitching. "You do realize how illegal that sounds, right?"

"Only if you get caught," Roman says with a chuckle, leading her through the crowd.

"Be careful with her," I call after them, trying to shake off the unease settling in my chest. Roman's schemes tend to escalate quickly.

"Relax, Larry!" he shouts back over the din of the party. "I'll take good care of your fiancée!"

I let out a breath and turn back to Sebastian, finding him watching the pair with a smirk. "She's quite the character," he comments.

"Yeah," I say, scratching the back of my neck, "she's one of a kind."

"It takes a special person to handle Roman," he comments, "but maybe Willow's up to the task," Sebastian notes, and I nod, silently agreeing.

She is indeed.

Roman's laughter fades into the clinking of glasses and the soft murmur of conversations as he disappears with Willow into the throng. I should be watching them, but Victor's tall frame looms into view, concern etched deep in the lines of his face.

"Lawrence, a word?" His voice is low, almost lost in the swell of party noise.

"Sure." I follow him to a quieter corner near an ornate fern. "What's up?"

He leans in, his blue eyes serious. "This engagement... you're not actually considering going through with it for real, are you?"

"Victor, it's a strategy," I say, forcing confidence into my tone. "Purely for optics. Boosts the company image, puts a friendly face on the pipeline."

"Right." He doesn't sound convinced, his gaze flicking to where Willow and Roman vanished. "Just remember what's at stake here."

"Trust me, I haven't forgotten," I assure him, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

"Good." Victor nods stiffly, then melts back into the crowd. I can understand why he's apprehensive. Victor usually invests heavily in my deals. While all four of us have done very well for ourselves in the past decade, not one of us has forgotten where we came from. Living with nothing will make you pretty careful with money for the rest of your life.

I need to get Willow away from Roman before his "traditions" rub off on her. I sift through the crowd, shaking hands as I go along, until I finally spot them.

"I need to introduce you to someone," I say to Willow.

"Awe, but we were having so much fun," Roman whines.

Willow gives him a genuine smile. "Don't worry. I'll be back."

"Okay. You can find me at the bar," Roman says, walking off to get himself a drink.

I guide Willow over to where Jason is chatting with a group of investors.

"Jason," I call out as I approach.

"Lawrence," he greets me with a nod, his expression unreadable behind those thin-rimmed glasses.

"Meet Willow, my fiancée." I gesture to her.

"Charmed." Jason extends a hand, which Willow shakes firmly.

"Nice to meet you, Jason," she says, her calm belying the charged air around us.

"Likewise." He assesses her, a slight tilt to his head like he's trying to piece together a puzzle. "I've heard much about your work with the Earth Defenders."

"Oh?" She arches an eyebrow, clearly ready to defend her turf if needed.

"Indeed," Jason continues, each word measured. "Your passion for the environment is... commendable."

"Thanks," she replies, her smile polite but guarded.

I decide there's no use in subjecting Willow to Jason's scrutiny. "Excuse us," I interrupt, placing my hand on the small of Willow's back and guiding her to where Victor is standing. I catch the faintest flicker of relief in her eyes as we move away from Jason.

Before long, Victor is chatting up Willow, his head tilted in that way he does when he's genuinely interested. I hang back, watching them for a moment, feeling oddly like a stage director on opening night. But then Jason’s by my side, pulling me aside.

"Lawrence," he starts, low and urgent. "You sure about this girl?"

"Jason, relax," I say with a nonchalant shrug. "She's solid."

He frowns, those piercing blues flicking towards Willow before drilling back into me. "She’s an activist, Lawrence. Her crowd isn't exactly fond of our pipeline dreams. Need I remind you the way you both met was when she was up a tree. Yours, specifically."

"Exactly," I counter quickly. "That's the point. She softens the image. Makes us look good, compassionate even."

"Or like we're being played," he mutters, not buying it yet.

"Just trust me, Jay," I insist, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Her passion is real. It's a good look for us. Plus, she knows her stuff—could be a bridge to the environmental crowd."

"Hope you're right," he sighs, adjusting his glasses in that meticulous way of his. "For all our sakes."

"Am I ever wrong?" I shoot him a grin that doesn't quite reach my eyes.

"Let's not start listing," he shoots back with that dry wit of his.

"Have you seen Billy?" I ask.

Jason shakes his head. "I was told he was going to be here, but it looks like he's a no-show."

"Damn," I curse under my breath. "I still think we have a chance at getting his support."

"We better hurry," Jason remarks. "There's not much time left before we start actual construction."

"I know. Try and push to get me a meeting with him, will you? Enough beating around the bush on this one."

"Got it," Jason says. "I'll see what I can do." He melts away into the throng, leaving me to watch as Willow laughs at something Victor says.

I continue to stand off to the side, a flute of champagne in hand, and my gaze glued to Willow. She navigates from circle to circle with an ease that surprises me. Roman, with his usual flair for the dramatic, has roped her into some wild tale of his latest escapade. She throws her head back, green strands catching the light as she laughs. It’s genuine—a sound that reverberates and draws more eyes to her.

"Isn't that right, Willow?" Roman winks at her, expecting her to play along with whatever mischief he's concocted.

"Absolutely," she agrees, playing the part of the enchanted fiancée to perfection. "Though I think the elephant was an unnecessary addition to your story."

The group erupts in laughter, and I can't help but chuckle. She's got spunk, handling Roman's antics like they're nothing more than ripples on a pond.

"Larry!" Roman calls out, spotting me lurking in the background. "Your girl's a riot! You sure you can handle her?"

"Better question is, can she handle me?" I fire back, raising my glass in a mock toast.

Roman laughs and turns back to his captive audience, undoubtedly ready to spin another yarn. But my focus isn’t on him anymore. I'm back to watching Willow as she slips away from the crowd, her charm leaving a visible mark on everyone she's interacted with today.

The day stretches on, blending conversations and laughter into a pleasant hum. I mingle, shake hands, and share knowing smiles over shared secrets. But every so often, my eyes search out Willow, and each time I find her fitting in just a little bit better.

As the event winds down, reflections swirl through my mind like the fine bubbles in my drink. Relief is the first sensation—we've pulled it off. The announcement of our engagement circulates with congratulatory pats and curious glances. Satisfaction follows close behind; Willow has been impeccable, striking all the right chords. And then there’s the plan—our crazy, impossible plan that’s suddenly not feeling quite so far-fetched.

"Looks like it's working," I mutter to myself, watching as one of the attendees clasps Willow's hand.

"Working?" A voice cuts in, and I turn to find Victor eyeing me with a raised brow.

"Like a charm," I say with a smirk. "She seems to have won over everyone today."

Victor shakes his head, but there's a hint of a smile there. "You always were one for high stakes."

"Can't win big if you don't play big," I reply, sipping the last of my champagne.

With the final notes of music playing us out, I realize that what started as a simple ruse might just be the ace up my sleeve. Now, it's about seeing this plan through to the end.