Page 31 of The Bad Boy Prince in Love

This had to be the driver of the Mazda, Hallie thought.She wasn’t dressed for a dance, and she was looking around, searching for someone.

The woman’s hair was pinned to the back of her head in a tight bun.Her lime green suit was impeccably tailored.Although slender and short in stature, she had an intimidating way about her.She seemed very set on her goal as she crisscrossed the entire venue, her eyes ever alert.

Hallie thought she would soon give up, but the woman came straight towards her.It was too late to run away.

“Hi,” the stranger began crisply, “My name is J.D.Santer and I’m pretty sure I saw you out there with Luke.”

“Luke?”Hallie frowned, feigning complete forgetfulness.

“Luke Lorenzen.Tall, handsome, very annoying.”

Hallie crossed her ankles and rubbed her hands together awkwardly, not knowing how to answer.“Oh, you mean Luke.I don’t really know him that well.Yeah, he was here, but I think he left.”

“It’s strange, I didn’t see his car when I arrived,” the woman said, “Maybe he traded in his Porsche for something more local in order to blend in.Do you know what car he was driving?”

“No idea,” Hallie said with a shrug.She hoped she wasn’t over-acting.The woman was looking at her with more and more suspicion.

“Okay, if you see him again, tell him to call me right away.”She handed Hallie a business card with the name J.D.Santer written on it.

“My name is J.D.Santer, and I get results,” she said sternly before leaving.

Hallie waited a few more minutes to open up the case.Finally, she thought it was safe and released Luke from his hiding place.

“That was a very driven young woman,” she said, “Who the heck is she?”

“My assistant,” Luke said irritably as he climbed out, smoothing his long hair back.

Hallie burst out laughing, something about his tone and the situation was too hilarious.“Why are you hiding from your own assistant?”

“She must have tracked my phone.She wants me to get back to work.I like it here, though.Everybody’s so friendly and fun-loving.I think I’ll stay on.Don’t get your hopes up, though.I’m probably not going to stay on with you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”Hallie said in indignation.

“I’ve already met a number of people here who would probably be happy to take me in, so I don’t have to be your dedicated boyfriend anymore.”

“You wouldn’t dare quit on me now,” Hallie said, although she was growing less certain of that.It seemed her worst fears about the dance were coming true.“I helped you hide and everything.”

Of course, that kind of argument would work on a moderately decent person, but not on him.

It was a relief when a familiar upbeat song came on, and everybody started line dancing.

“Come on, Hallie, Luke, dance with us,” her girlfriends shouted.

“I don’t really know this dance,” Luke said, trying to step back against the wall.

“Go on,” Hallie said with a mischievous smile, hoping that he would embarrass himself on the dance floor.For once, she didn’t mind letting the women drag him away.

Stacy and the others insisted that she join in too, so Hallie stepped into the line.It was comforting to do the familiar steps and not have to think too much about it.

Everyone stepped forward, shuffled, then turned around with a clap of their hands.Then there were some kicks and more turns, but Hallie knew this dance off by heart, and it was easy and fun.

She expected Luke to fail miserably at keeping up with everyone, but he was copying all the dance moves and even adding some of his own with great poise and perfect rhythm.

His body flexible and loose, he moved with a confident swagger, and Hallie’s eyes were drawn to every motion of his hips.

If he was going to be so popular with everyone, her chances of keeping him were dwindling like sand running through an hourglass.