Page 77 of In My Hockey Era
30
A CINDERELLA MOMENT
Lucy
There are three strangers in my apartment, and all of them are currently working totransformme into a version of myself I barely recognize.
Vivian was kind enough to send something she called a “glam squad” and while at first, I was leery of the idea, now I’m appreciative.
A hairstylist curls and pins my hair into soft, cascading waves while a makeup artist leans in close, brushing highlighter along my cheekbones like I’m about to walk the red carpet.The third woman, a stylist, carefully lays out a gold, shimmering gown across my dining table, the sequins catching the soft light from my bedside lamp.
Mia sits cross-legged on my couch, watching the entire ordeal like it’s the most entertaining thing she’s ever witnessed.“I still can’t believe this is happening,” she muses, sipping a glass of champagne.“The Stampedeliterallysent a glam squad to your apartment.”
I let out a breath, trying not to move too much while the makeup artist applies false lashes.“Yeah, well, apparently when you agree to be the date of a certain hockey star at a black-tie event, theyreallydon’t want you showing up in your usual jeans-and-Converse combo.”
Mia snorts.“I mean, I would have staged an intervention if you’d even tried.”
The stylist appears in the doorway, holding up a pair of high heels encrusted with crystals.“Okay, Quinn.These areeverything.”
I blink.“Those look like they belong in a museum.”
Mia grins.“Correction, they belong onyou.”
I exhale, still feeling a little out of my element.I wear makeup, sure, and I can pull myself together when necessary, but this?This is another level.
The makeup artist dusts one final bit of setting powder on my face and steps back with a satisfied smile.“Okay.You’re officially flawless.”
Mia’s jawactuallydrops when I glance at her.“Oh,damn.”
I hesitate before peeking at my reflection in the mirror.
Andholy hell.
The woman staring back at me?She’sstunning.My lashes are long and fluttery, my eyes smoky and bright, my lips painted a soft, nude pink.My hair falls in perfect waves, and my skinglowslike I just spent a week on some luxury vacation.
Mia fans herself.“I need a moment.”
I laugh, still in shock as I step down from the high chair the makeup artist brought.
The stylist glances at her phone.“We have a little bit of time…maybe fifteen minutes before we need to get you into that dress.So do whatever you need to do…pee, eat something, whatever.”
I pat Max’s head, who’s looking at me like even he’s unsure if it’s really me beneath all this makeup.
“Girl talk time,” Mia announces, leading me into my bedroom.
She shuts the door and hands me the glass of bubbly I’d been too distracted to drink with the makeup artist fussing over me.
“Okay… what’s going on?”I ask, taking a sip.
We settle onto my bed.
Mia takes a breath.“I say this gently and only because I love you.”
“Ut oh, should I be worried?”I take another gulp of my champagne.
“Not at all,” she says with a chirp.“It’s just that you’re really into this guy…”
I hold up my hand to stop her, to tell her it’s all just in good fun, but Mia won’t let me get away with that.
