Page 6 of The Bad Boy Prince in Love
“Please, you can call us Vivian and Sam.It’s really great to meet you...”
“Luke,” he replied, giving her one of his charming smiles.He wasn’t prepared for the woman to suddenly clasp him in a strong hug.He had heard of southern hospitality, but most of the people he dealt with were business associates who preferred handshakes.
“Welcome to the ranch, Luke,” she said.“So, are you and Hallie just friends or...more?”
Luke hesitated, not knowing exactly what to say.Why couldn’t he remember what happened last night?
The older man came to his rescue.“Vivian, you shouldn’t pry.Young people have complicated lives these days.”
“I’m just curious is all,” she replied with a mischievous smile.“This might be the first time we meet one of her boyfriends since high school.”
“Allow me to make breakfast,” Luke said to evade any further questions.
“No, no, no!”Vivian shooed him away.She already had some skillets out on the stove and was busy mixing eggs.
“I’ll help chop vegetables,” Luke offered, seeing that she had got out some peppers and onions for an omelet.
“Well, aren’t you a sweetheart?”the woman said.
Yes, yes I am, Luke thought to himself wearily.Winning people over came easily to him.And it was sort of the whole point of his existence, for better or for worse.
Vivian kept bombarding him with questions.“Where are you from?Are you here for a short or long stay?”
“I represent a solar energy company from Sarkadia,” he replied, “We’re looking to make partnerships here in Texas.If there’s one thing your beautiful state has in abundance, it’s sunshine.”
He wasn’t actually lying, just omitting the fact that he was also the heir to the royal throne of Sarkadia.
“You have a fine way with words, young man,” Vivian said.
“Thanks, so I guess the length of my stay will depend on how the successful my business skills are, but I hope I can stay a while.”
“Is Hallie helping you with marketing then?”Sam asked.
“No,” Luke said, “but we could always get her on board.”
Oh botheration!Had he just offered a job to some woman who was crazy enough to pick him up on the street?He really was desperate to make a good impression so that he could stay here a few days.
Speak of the devil, Hallie herself appeared in the doorway, still in her pajamas.She probably couldn’t wait to see her new beau.
She looked kind of sexy, despite wearing a set of baggy pajamas with little rainbows and clouds printed all over them.Her hair, disheveled in the best way possible, descended in swooping waves around an angelic face with eyes the color of dark honey.
She didn’t seem very pleased to see him, though.It was weird.She had looked hopeful when she first entered the kitchen, but then a kind of disappointment showed in her soft features.
Disappointment that he was still here?Or that he was in her parents’ good graces?
