Page 101 of The Bad Boy Prince in Love

Her instinct urged her to turn around as she felt a chilling stare at her back.Hallie managed to catch just a glimpse of Miss Santer giving her the stink eye before the assistant looked away.

“Miss Santer has a thing for you, I’m sure of it,” Hallie said as they left the company offices behind them and emerged into the noisy streets.

“I know,” Luke said coolly.

“Wait, are you actually encouraging her?You took her out to lunch again today.”

“What makes you think it’s not a business lunch?”Luke asked in that serious tone that she knew belied his sly humor.

“I just know it.I think you want all the women in your life to adore you, even if you don’t adore them.”

“If I do, what’s wrong with that?”he said, his eyes lingering on a smartly dressed woman passing by.

“Do you like people pouring coffee on you?”Hallie inquired casually.

“It’s an acceptable risk.”

Luke indicated the entrance to the restaurant on their left and gracefully opened the door for her.

The interior was dark and smelled of jasmine along with tempting wafts of fried meats.

“I’m guessing you intend to get mildly drunk,” Hallie said as they were led to their booth.A single, flower-scented candle carved into the shape of a beehive lit up the quiet space.

“How did you know?”

“We didn’t drive here.I’m glad you’re responsible enough to not drink and drive, even if you are willing to risk being assaulted with coffee.”

Luke smiled, but his expression turned somewhat strained.Hallie wondered what she had said to upset him.

“Yeah, I kind of learned a valuable lesson about that,” he muttered.

“Are you going to tell me?”she asked carefully.

“I haven’t had a drink yet,” he said, “maybe after a few.”

––––––––

ROB STARED AT HALLIE’Ssister, who was gazing back at him with her cunning blue eyes.

“It’s not a big deal,” he replied, trying to downplay it.In his drunk mind, things were fairly relaxed, and although nothing seemed too critical, he vaguely knew he shouldn’t have told anyone about Hallie’s shoplifting incident.“She was young, just a kid.”

Terry looked like a predator about to enjoy a delicious meal.“How old was she when it happened?”

“Sixteen, maybe seventeen.”Some part of his brain knew he had definitely said too much and was desperately trying to relay the message to the other parts, but he wasn’t really in control of what came out of his mouth.

“Where did you catch her?”Terry asked.

“I didn’t ‘catch’ her.She was apprehended at the store and I was called to the scene.Anyway, it doesn’t matter.I promised not to tell anyone, so you better keep this a secret.”

“My lips are sealed,” Terry said, her coral lips curved into a subtle smile.

“I should go.”Rob stood up from his bar stool but ended up swaying unsteadily on his feet.

“Whoa, are you all right?”

Terry caught him as he stumbled forward.With his stout, muscular build, he was quite heavy to hold, but she managed to keep him steady.

“Aha!I caught you!”a man’s voice exclaimed.