Page 3 of The Bad Boy Prince in Love

“All right, Luke, it’s your lucky day!”his friends hollered, seeing Hallie and Jessica approach.

Hallie knew she was not model-beautiful, but she had a strong, somewhat curvy body, and a cute, soft-featured face with full cheeks and a slightly curved nose.Jessica was definitely the prettier one, but together, they were usually considered a couple of good-looking ladies.

They were both dressed in cut-off shorts and tank tops, the only reasonable outfit for this kind of weather.It left them somewhat exposed to the ogling of the party boys, but Hallie ignored them.

“I believe this is yours,” she said, leaning over the one they called Luke.

The young man had been lying there in a daze with a relaxed smile on his face.Then he looked up at her and his smile turned into a happy grin, lighting up his blue eyes.

“My hat.”

He took it and put it over his face as if preparing to take a nap on the sidewalk.

“Hi,” Hallie began, “I believe you said something about being a cowboy.Would you like to experience life on a real Texas ranch?”

A muffled response came from beneath the hat.“Yeah.”

Hallie wasn’t sure whether he even understood what she was saying, but it was worth a try.

“I live on a ranch just a couple hours’ drive from here.If you’d like to come with me, you can stay as my guest.”

“Really?”He lifted his head, sliding the hat back so his face was visible again.

“Yeah.”She leaned closer, speaking softly so the others couldn’t hear.“As long as you don’t mind pretending to be my boyfriend.It’s just to keep my parents happy.”

“All right, I would love to.”He had a slight accent, something European.Maybe Russian or Hungarian?

“Um...okay then, let’s go.”

Hallie hadn’t expected it to be so easy.She motioned for him to get up, and he reached out his hand, looking for help.She rolled her eyes, hoping he was okay enough to walk the short distance to her truck.

He grabbed hold of her hand, hauling himself up.“American women are so strong!Always going to the gym.”

“Yeah, right,” Hallie said.“I’m sure the women are strong in your country too.”

“I’m from Sarkadia,” he said, “a beautiful country of lakes and mountains, but I’d much rather be here in Texas.I’m here on business.”

“Good for you,” Hallie replied.Was she in over her head?Was he going to be this chatty and obnoxious the whole time?But to annoy her parents, it would be worth it.“Can you walk?”

“Of course,” he said, very pleased with himself.“Lead the way, lady.”

His friends cheered as they watched him leave with the two women.It was only a short walk to the truck, and Jessica scowled the whole way.

“Is this for real?”she asked.

“Yep, I’m doing this,” Hallie said.“You can’t stop me.And don’t worry, I can take care of myself.”

“Okay, I would say text me to let me know how it turns out,” Jessica said, giving her friend a goodbye hug, “but I don’t think I want to know.”

“Come on, it’ll be a practical joke,” Hallie coaxed as Jessica stalked away to her sedan, parked nearby.“All right, let’s go,” she commanded her newfound ‘date’.

“I’m sorry your friend doesn’t like me,” the man said, sounding sincere.

“That’s all right, can you make it into the truck?”

“Of course.I know all about trucks,” he remarked, though he made no move to open the passenger door.

Hallie shook her head.This was a first, opening a door for a guy.The usual custom in Texas was for men to open doors for a lady.