Bad Liar (The Reed Rivers Trilogy #1) - Lauren Rowe Page 0,56

on a singular, exciting project.” She pauses for effect. “A special issue of Rock ‘n’ Roll devoted solely to the artists and inner workings of one record label... River Records!”

My jaw drops along with my stomach. No. This can’t be happening. The best news of my life has just turned into the worst. CeeCee is hiring me to work exclusively on an issue devoted to Reed River’s label... for the next three months? It’s a catastrophe!

“Don’t worry, you won’t be the only one writing for this issue,” CeeCee says, apparently misreading the look of panic on my face. “I’m also assigning a couple of seasoned writers, too, who’ll contribute content and also mentor you. Plus, I’ll write a few pieces for the issue, too. But, make no mistake about it, Georgie, your job is to interview the shit out of as many River Records artists as you can personally manage throughout the summer and turn those interviews into fresh, fun, original content. I want you to think outside the box and really run with it.”

Holy fucking hell. My mind is racing with thoughts, all of them centering on Reed fucking Rivers. Does he know CeeCee has assigned me, the woman who double-flipped him off the last time he saw her, to this special issue? If he doesn’t already know, will he get me kicked off the project the minute he finds out?

For several minutes, CeeCee details her vision for the issue. And, slowly, despite my panic about Reed, I begin to feel swept away by the excitement of it all. We brainstorm ideas for a bit, our mutual enthusiasm mounting. And, finally, CeeCee says, “And, of course, what would a special issue about River Records be without an in-depth, featured interview of the man at the helm of it all, Reed Rivers?”

And there it is. The two little words I’ve been dreading since CeeCee first told me about this assignment: Reed Rivers. If Reed doesn’t know about me being assigned to the project, he’s going to find out soon enough. And when he does, will he pick up the phone and tell CeeCee to send someone else—someone who didn’t tell him to fuck off and die, and then peel out in an Uber while he stood in front of his house with a raging boner poking the front of his pants?

“Is something wrong, Georgina?” CeeCee asks.

I shake my head. “No. I’m just feeling a little woozy due to excitement. This is a doozy of an opportunity, CeeCee. A doozy with a capital ‘oozy.’”

CeeCee giggles. “Yes, it is.”

“Um. Out of curiosity,” I say, “how much of this idea has been cleared with Mr. Rivers?”

“All of it. Nothing happens at River Records without Reed clearing it. You’ll find that out soon enough. He’s extremely hands-on.”

Hands-on. In a flash, my body remembers what it felt like to have Reed’s greedy hands on me as he kissed me. I’m suddenly remembering the scent of his cologne. The delicious roughness of his stubble. The death grip of his palms on my ass that made me delirious with arousal... He wanted to tie me to his bed posts. My cheeks hot, I clear my throat. “So, he’s already agreed to do the interview... with me?”

“He has.”

“But I mean... with me, specifically?”

CeeCee tilts her head like Scooby Doo sniffing out a snack.

“I mean, does he know I’m a newbie?” I add quickly. “Does he know I’m straight out of journalism school, with no experience?”

CeeCee nods. “Yes, Reed and I talked about that very thing, and he smartly recognized, as do I, that you’ll bring a fresh, exciting energy and voice to the project.” She smiles kindly. “Don’t be nervous, Georgina. I’m sure, after seeing Reed on that panel, you’re a bit intimidated. And I don’t blame you. He’s incredibly successful and confident. And his communication style is blunt and unapologetic, to say the least. But he’s a very good friend of mine, and I can honestly say he’s a sweetheart underneath all that swagger. Plus, he trusts my judgment. And I’ve told him I’ve got a lot of faith in you.”

A shudder of nerves sweeps through me. “I hope I’m able to prove you right.”

“You will. It was when you talked about bartending during our coffee date that I knew you’d be a fantastic interviewer. Like I told you then, bartending is just another form of what a journalist does. As a bartender, you’ve honed the art of talking to people. Listening to them. Making connections in