Noah should've been honest to River telling her he loves her like he admitted early to his mother. Well....since the author is trying to prolong the drama and continue with the comic......
That convo with his mother. Girl, that was a lie just to avoid his mother berating him. River was simply a tool for him, nothing more. He somehow cared about her but it was not out of romantic/partner love.
Chapter 24, 25 & 26 is different comic