Page 36 of The Bad Boy Prince in Love

“Luke is just a wonderful boyfriend.You wouldn’t understand what we have.”

“If he’s so wonderful, why haven’t I heard about him before?”Terry asked, narrowing her eyes.“He just came out of nowhere.”

“That’s because I don’t tell you everything.And when I try to tell you stuff, you’re so mean.”Hallie felt like they were building up to one of their usual fights, and she couldn’t help going with the momentum.

“I’m not mean.”

“I don’t know if you realize, but a lot of things you say come across as really insulting.”

“You’re a sensitive snowflake.”

“I’m not sensitive.You’re insensitive!”

“Hello?”Luke was standing at the entrance, an amused smile playing on his lips.

Hallie grew self-conscious, wishing she had a normal sister so that Luke wouldn’t have to witness their constant family squabbles.

“Two sisters in my bedroom...”he said, one of his eyebrows edging up.“This gives me some interesting thoughts.”

“Gross!”Hallie exclaimed.

“Hey, I’m kidding.Or am I?I don’t suppose you’re in an open marriage, Terry?”

“Dream on, cowboy,” Terry said as she sashayed past him and out the door.

“It wouldn’t be the first time I had a threesome with two lovely sisters, so I know what I’m doing,” he said, unfazed by her departure.“Of course, that first time was actually a ploy to steal my organs for sale on the black market.I was lucky to get out of there alive.”

Hallie tried not to look like she was interested or impressed by his story.“I thought that would have turned you off trying to have a threesome.”

“You’d think so, but no.”

“Anyway, I’m going to go now before you spout any more nonsense,” she declared.

“Wait,” he said when she was almost through the doorway.“I don’t want to seem overly suspicious, but, seeing you in my room...you weren’t by any chance snooping?”

“No!Terry was the one snooping.I was just returning your clothes, which mama washed and folded nicely for you, even though you don’t deserve it.”

“Your mama is too nice,” Luke said, offering a genuine warm smile.“She didn’t have to do that.But why was Terry looking through my stuff?”

Hallie peeked out into the hallway to make sure no one was listening.“She might be on to us,” she whispered.“I think she suspects the relationship is fake.”

Luke pressed his lips together, thinking.“Well, maybe it was bound to happen.How long do you think we can go on, hiding the truth from your family?”

“Shh!As long as it takes.”

“You are a stubborn one.I can respect that.”

The doorbell rang before Hallie could say any more.They could hear Eloise’s voice coming from below in enthusiastic greeting as Vivian answered the door.

This time, however, Hallie was glad, and she went downstairs with Luke to welcome the guest.

“Hi, good seeing you at the dance yesterday,” she said, giving Eloise a hug.“Listen, if you need a volunteer for the church fundraiser, you can sign me up.”

“I thought you quit,” Eloise said.

“I changed my mind,” Hallie replied.

“That’s great!We could always use an extra pair of hands.”