I think that the character of Luce is pretty cocky and self absorbed. Hes matured and grown up alot since Holden last saw him, but that doesnt change the way Holden acts towards him. I think Holden sort of admires Luce because hes so confident, especially with his women. It kind of surprised me that Holden liked him as much as he did because Luce seems like he would be someone that Holden would think is phoney because hes so self absorbed that he only likes to hear himself talk and doesnt care at all what other people have to say.