Page 146 of The Bad Boy Prince in Love

Hallie felt like Gigi sympathized with her in spite of everything.Maybe she knew that the relationship wasn’t all make-believe.

“I’m sure that bear story isn’t true,” Vivian pronounced, looking suddenly bashful.She was probably upset and embarrassed about what Thanksgiving dinner had turned into.

“This is why I don’t read the tabloids,” Bob grumbled, “They’re just full of ridiculous stories.”

“It’s a true story about the bear,” Luke said, fidgeting in his seat.“Anyway, I hope you’ll forgive me for coming here under false pretenses.I didn’t mean to.”

“I know you didn’t,” Vivian said, “I’m sure Hallie roped you into it somehow, and before you knew it you were playing her game by her rules.”

Luke chuckled.“Yep, that’s exactly how it happened.”

Hallie sighed, but had to admit her mama was right.Luke hadn’t really known what was happening at first, but she had gotten him to cooperate.

She could have mentioned that it was only because he was dead drunk at the time, but Luke would surely find a way to make himself look like a shining example of goodness no matter what she said.It seemed he could do no wrong in her parents’ eyes.

“So, they were never really a couple?”Bob asked.

Hallie didn’t really want to answer that.Luke looked as uncomfortable as she had ever seen him.She was satisfied that at least he couldn’t find a glib remark to get him out of this one.

“Well, were you?”Vivian asked.

“Not at first,” Luke stated, “but I think we were going to get there if I hadn’t ruined it all.”

Everyone looked confused, and Hallie just wanted to leave.“I’m sorry about all of this,” she said simply.

She couldn’t sit there anymore, feeling like a complete failure and somehow allowing Terry of all people to have the moral high ground.She got up from the table, but her mama’s voice stopped her from leaving the room.

“I hope you realize you’ve accomplished exactly the opposite of what you wanted,” Vivian said.“We’re retiring next year, but there’s no way we’re leaving the ranch to you, not after this behavior.”

“To be honest,” her daddy said, “we were probably going to leave it to Terry anyway.You’ve got a job in the city now, so you wouldn’t have time to run the ranch.”

Terry perked up and even seemed to lose some of her evil demeanor for a moment.“Really!I’m going to get the ranch?!”

“Maybe,” her mama replied wearily.“If you stop fighting your sister on everything.”

“I will stop right this minute,” Terry declared.

Hallie strode out of the dining room and headed up the stairs.

“Where are you going?”her mama called, “What about dinner?”

“I just need to go,” Hallie said.

“Let her go, Vivian,” Gigi said.“It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine!”Vivian objected.“I’m surprised you’re okay with all this.She went behind our backs and lied to us.”

Gigi gave her a cunning smile.“I seem to recall a time when you were just as bad, sneaking out to see a boy I didn’t want you seeing, and of course lying to me about it.”

“What boy?”Sam exclaimed.

“Oh, relax.This was way before we met.”

The last thing Hallie needed to see was more family drama; she resumed her escape.

Luke’s voice reached her from the dining room: “Maybe I should go too.”

“No, Luke, you’re always welcome here,” Vivian urged, “I always thought you really liked Hallie.”