Faking It With The Hockey Star

Chapter 30: Date Preparations

I wasn’t expecting a knock on the door at four in the afternoon.

Mom was curled up on the couch with a blanket over her legs, Emma sat on the floor sorting through one of her school assignments, and Noah was lying upside down across the armchair, arguing with a hockey commentator on television like the man could somehow hear him through the screen.

"Terrible call!" Noah groaned.

"The referee literally cannot hear you," Emma said without looking up.

"He should."

I laughed quietly, carrying three mugs of tea into the living room. "Tea break." Mom smiled as I handed her one. "You’ve been fussing over me all morning."

"I wonder whose fault that is." She bumped my arm playfully. "I raised you too well."

Before I could answer, another knock echoed through the apartment. Noah looked toward the door. "Are we expecting anyone?" "I don’t think so." He jumped up before anyone could stop him. A second later, his voice echoed back down the hallway.

"Harper!"

"What?"

"There are rich people here."

Emma burst out laughing. "What?" "They’re wearing suits!"

I frowned and walked toward the entrance. The moment I opened the door, three professionally dressed people smiled politely at me. One young man in a tailored navy suit stepped forward. "Good afternoon, Miss Brooks."

"Good afternoon?"

"My name is Daniel." He gestured toward the two women behind him. "We’re here on behalf of Master Hayes."

I blinked. "Justin?"

"Yes, ma’am." He smiled professionally. "He asked us to prepare you for this evening."

I stared at him. "Prepare me?"

"I believe Mr. Hayes mentioned dinner."

"I thought it was just dinner."

Daniel cleared his throat politely, and a tiny smile appeared on his face. "With all due respect, Miss Brooks, dinner at the Hayes residence is rarely just dinner."

I groaned. "Oh no."

Behind me, Mom called out, "Who’s there, sweetheart?" I turned. "Justin apparently hired people." She didn’t hesitate for even a second. "Well, don’t leave them standing outside." Before I could protest, she’d already waved them in. "Please come in."

Daniel inclined his head. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Brooks."

They stepped inside and for about two seconds, simply looked around the apartment. Not in judgment, more like planning. The apartment wasn’t very big, and most of our furniture had been bought secondhand over the years, but the large window in the living room let in good light and gave the space an open feel. Mom pointed toward it. "You can probably use that corner." Daniel nodded immediately. "Perfect."

Within seconds, they were unloading garment bags, makeup cases, mirrors, and lighting equipment. I stared at all of it. "What is happening?" Emma whispered beside me, "I think you’ve accidentally started living in a rich-people movie." I elbowed her. "This is ridiculous." Mom smiled. "I think it’s sweet." "It’s unnecessary." "It’s romantic." "It’s excessive." Mom shrugged. "Sometimes romance is excessive, sweetheart."

Daniel looked up. "Miss Brooks, if you don’t mind freshening up first, we’ll have everything ready when you return."

I looked helplessly at Mom. She only smiled. "Go take your shower." I sighed dramatically. "If this ends with me wearing something that costs more than our rent, I’m blaming Justin." Noah grinned from across the room. "I fully support that plan."

Twenty-five minutes later I stepped back into the living room in my robe, hair still damp from the shower. Daniel immediately stood. "Perfect timing." One of the women smiled warmly. "Please have a seat." I obeyed before I could change my mind.

The next hour disappeared beneath curling irons, soft brushes and quiet easy conversation. Nobody rushed. Nobody complained. Every movement felt practiced and professional. One woman carefully pinned part of my hair back while the other applied the lightest makeup I’d ever worn, the kind that made you look like yourself, only more so.

When they finally unzipped the garment bag, I forgot how to breathe.

The dress was breathtaking. Soft blue, elegant, and simple in the way that only really expensive things manage to be simple. It wasn’t covered in glitter or sequins. It didn’t need to be. It just looked timeless.

"I can’t wear that."

Daniel smiled. "You absolutely can."

"I’ll ruin it."

"You won’t."

"It probably costs a fortune."

"Mr. Hayes anticipated that response."

I buried my face in my hands. "Of course he did."

When they finished, one of the women handed me a small mirror. I stared at my own reflection for a long moment. The girl looking back didn’t feel entirely real. My hair fell in soft waves over my shoulders, the dress hugged me perfectly without feeling uncomfortable, and the makeup was so natural I barely noticed it. I just looked like a better-rested, slightly glowing version of myself.

Then I heard Mom sniff. I turned. She was crying quietly, pressing her fingers to her lips. "Oh, Mom..." "You look beautiful." She quickly wiped her eyes. "My little girl." Emma stood beside her with a huge smile. "I knew you’d clean up nicely." I laughed. "Thanks, I think." "No," Emma shook her head. "I mean it. You look gorgeous."

Noah walked around me once, nodded slowly, and folded his arms with great ceremony. "Well. I guess Justin has officially done something Ethan never managed." Mom immediately reached over and smacked the back of his head. "Noah." "What?" "We are not mentioning that boy today." He rubbed his head dramatically. "I was complimenting Justin." "We’re still not mentioning him." Everyone laughed, and the apartment felt lighter than it had in weeks.

Another knock. Daniel glanced toward the door. "I believe your escort has arrived." Before I could move, a familiar voice drifted through the hallway.

"Can I come in and see my girl?"

My heart skipped. Mom laughed. "Come in."

The front door opened and Justin stepped inside. Black suit, white shirt, no tie. His dark hair was neatly styled though one stubborn strand had already fallen across his forehead, because of course it had. He looked unfairly handsome, like he’d wandered off the set of something and ended up in our living room by accident.

His eyes found mine instantly. Then he stopped moving. For a second he just stared. "Wow." My cheeks immediately warmed. He walked toward me slowly. "You look..." He shook his head. "I don’t think beautiful is a big enough word."

I laughed nervously. "You clean up pretty well yourself." "Pretty?" He placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "I spent an hour getting ready." "You should’ve spent two." He gasped. "I take back my compliment." "I know you do." He smiled, and God, that smile.

Daniel quietly cleared his throat. "I believe our work here is done." Justin turned. "Thank you." As the team packed away their equipment, Justin reached into the hallway and returned carrying several gift bags. He walked to Mom first. "Mrs. Brooks." He handed her a bouquet of white lilies. "These are for you." Mom’s eyes widened. "They’re beautiful." "I figured Harper got her smile from somewhere." Mom laughed warmly. "Now I know why she likes you." Justin looked far too pleased with himself.

Next he turned to Emma. "I heard you like reading." She blinked. "Who told you that?" "Harper." He handed her a beautifully wrapped notebook with a gift card tucked inside. "I wasn’t sure what authors you liked, so I figured you could choose." Emma looked genuinely touched. "Thank you."

Finally he faced Noah, who was practically vibrating. Justin handed him a hockey jersey with the university logo across the front. Noah unfolded it, and his mouth fell open. "No way." Justin grinned. "Should fit." Noah threw his arms around him before anyone saw it coming. Justin laughed and hugged him back. "You just became my favorite athlete." "I’ll try not to let it go to my head."

Mom watched the whole scene with suspiciously shiny eyes. Justin finally looked at me. "Ready?" I nodded. "I think so." He offered me his hand. "Then let me steal my girl for the evening."

I slipped my hand into his. As we stepped toward the door, Mom called after us. "Be home before breakfast." "Mom!" She only laughed.

Justin leaned closer as we stepped outside. "I like your mom." "I noticed." He opened the passenger door for me. "Ready to survive dinner with my family?"

I looked up at him. Not even a little. But somehow, holding his hand made me feel like I could survive just about anything.