Faking It With The Hockey Star

Harper’s POV

Emma and I were halfway home when my phone started ringing. I glanced down at the screen to see Ava’s name flashing back at me.

I picked up immediately. "Hey, what is up?"

"Girl!" Ava’s voice burst through the speaker, accompanied by Mia laughing loudly in the background. "We are going dress shopping."

"For graduation?"

"Obviously," Mia chimed in from the side. "You do not think we are letting you show up in some random dress, do you?"

I laughed softly. "I have not even had time to think about what I am wearing yet."

"Perfect," Ava declared. "Meet us at the mall."

I glanced over at Emma. "We are actually on our way home right now."

"Bring your sister," Mia said without missing a beat.

Emma leaned over, whispering close to my ear. "What are they saying?"

I covered the microphone with my hand. "Dress shopping."

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Oh, I am coming."

I chuckled, uncovering the mic. "Okay, fine. We will meet you guys at the mall. Which store?"

They gave me the name of a boutique, and I immediately relayed the updated destination to our driver. "Excuse me, can we change our drop off location?"

The driver met my eyes in the rearview mirror. "Sure thing."

Emma settled back into her seat with a triumphant grin. "This is going to be so much fun."

"You have not even seen the store yet."

"I do not need to," she replied, looking far too pleased with herself. "I am ready."

By the time we pulled up to the mall, Ava and Mia were already waiting outside the boutique entrance. The second they spotted us walking up, they rushed over.

"Harper!" Ava pulled me into a quick hug, while Mia wrapped her arms around Emma. "Finally!"

Emma laughed, adjusting her purse strap. "Okay, ladies. What exactly is the game plan?"

"Shopping," Ava said firmly.

"Lots of shopping," Mia added.

We walked inside together, and within minutes, the four of us had completely taken over the fitting room area. Dresses were sliding off racks, hangers were clattering, and everyone had a strong opinion.

Emma had somehow appointed herself head judge. She stood with her arms folded over her chest as Mia stepped out of her changing stall.

Emma shook her head immediately. "No."

Mia looked down at the fabric. "What?"

"That dress is doing absolutely nothing for you."

"Okay, Judge Emma," Mia teased. "What am I supposed to wear then?"

"What kind of look are you aiming for?"

Mia pulled out her phone and showed her an inspiration photo. Emma studied the screen carefully, her brows furrowing in deep concentration. "Okay. I see the vision. Give me five minutes."

She turned on her heel toward the racks, and I burst out laughing. "Why do you sound like a professional stylist?"

"Because you people clearly need one," she called back over her shoulder, already pulling options. "Try this one."

Mia caught the hanger. "No."

"This one?"

"Maybe."

"This?"

"Too much."

Emma tossed another option into her arms. "Try this."

Mia disappeared into the stall again, stepping back out a few minutes later. Emma gave an approving nod. "Much better."

Ava stepped out next, and Emma immediately shook her head again. "No."

Ava frowned. "What now?"

"That shade of blue is not working for you."

"Seriously?"

"Yes. Try something deeper," Emma turned toward one of the store attendants. "Do you have a darker shade of navy in this?"

The attendant nodded, heading toward the back racks. We all broke out into laughter at how naturally Emma had taken control of the room.

Then it was my turn.

I stepped out wearing a dress that had looked completely simple and understated on the hanger. But the moment I turned to look in the full length mirror, I was not so sure.

Emma stared. Ava’s eyes widened, and Mia instantly covered her mouth.

"What?" I asked, feeling self-conscious.

A slow smile spread across Emma’s face. "Oh, Justin is going to lose his mind."

I looked down at myself. The dress hugged my body far more snugly than I had expected, especially around my chest. "Absolutely not."

"Why?"

"Look at this," I gestured toward the front. "This thing practically puts everything on display."

Mia burst out laughing. "Which is exactly why you should buy it!"

"No."

"Yes!"

"Absolutely not," I insisted.

Ava stepped closer, her expression turning warm and encouraging. "Harper, you are graduating. You deserve one night where you feel completely breathtaking."

Emma nodded in agreement. "And Justin does not get a vote."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "You people are impossible."

Still, I turned back to meet my own reflection. Maybe they had a point.

My phone started buzzing in my bag, and I pulled it out to see Justin’s name on the screen. My expression softened instantly, and I answered the call. "Hey, babe."

"Hey, beautiful. Where are you?" his voice sounded warm over the line.

"Dress shopping with the girls," I turned the phone toward the group. "Say hi."

"Hi, Justin!" they chorused together.

He laughed. "Sounds like you have your hands full over there."

"You have no idea."

"I will let you get back to it then."

"Wait," I smiled, looking at my reflection again. "I can send you pictures."

"No," he said gently.

I frowned softly. "No?"

"Surprise me."

I chuckled. "Ooh, okay. If you say so."

"I will see you later, baby."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

The call ended, and Emma immediately turned to me. "He is so cute."

"I know."

"Annoyingly cute."

"He really is," I laughed.

We spent the next hour settling every last detail: the dress, the shoes, the jewelry, and deciding on hair and makeup styles. By the time we were finished, we had even booked professional salon appointments for the morning of the ceremony.

Then Emma raised her hand firmly. "I am doing your makeup that morning."

We all turned to look at her. "You?"

"Yes."

Mia laughed softly. "Are you sure?"

Emma rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Mia teased.

"I can do makeup just fine," Emma declared proudly.

Ava grinned. "Okay then, Makeup Artist Emma."

I laughed, shaking my head. "This morning is going to be pure chaos."

"Fun chaos," Emma corrected cleanly.

We were almost ready to leave the shop when Ava suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Wait."

"What?" I asked.

"What are the boys wearing?"

I blinked, realizing I had not even thought about it. "I do not know."

"Justin has not mentioned anything?"

"No."

"What about Mason?" Emma asked, looking over at Mia.

Mia let out a small sigh. "I need to get him a shirt."

Emma clapped her hands together with excitement. "Let us go."

"You people really do not know when to stop shopping," I laughed.

"Never," Mia replied with a grin.

We headed into an upscale menswear store nearby. While Mia searched through the formal shirts for Mason, I wandered over to the display of silk ties.

"I want to get one for Justin," I mentioned softly.

Emma smiled knowingly. "Of course you do."

I ignored her teasing, but right then my phone buzzed with a text from Justin.

What are you girls up to now?

I typed back a quick reply. Shopping for you.

His response arrived almost immediately. I am terrified.

I laughed out loud and hit the call button instead. When he picked up, I asked, "Did you prepare anything for graduation yet?"

"Not really," he admitted, pausing for a second. "I was thinking about picking up a new suit."

"Good."

"You sound way too excited about that."

"Send me pictures," I demanded gently.

"Of the suit?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I am choosing it."

He chuckled softly over the line. "Okay, boss."

"Send them over."

"I will."

I ended the call and turned back to the group. "We are choosing Justin’s suit."

Ava groaned playfully. "Of course we are."

Mia laughed. "Let us hurry before she starts redesigning his entire wardrobe."

We selected a few accessories, including a deep colored tie and a set of cufflinks for Justin. By the time we finally walked out of the mall, all four of us were completely exhausted.

Ava drove us back while Mia sat in the front passenger seat. Emma and I piled into the back, completely surrounded by glossy shopping bags.

As we drove through the city, I rested my side against the window, watching the streetlights flicker past. My feet were sore and my arms were tired, but I could not stop the smile from spreading across my face. Today was such a fun day

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