Page 116 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

One of the other women in the group, Heidy, I think it was seemed particularly impatient.

“Harper, we can come back this way later. There are a few booths I want to check out first, so they don’t sell out of my size.”

Harper heaved a sigh. “Then go ahead without me, Heidy.”

“You sure?” Heidy asked, already starting to edge away.

The other women had already spread out around us in the nearby booths.

“Totally. I’ll hang here for a little while.” She glanced at me as though seeking confirmation it was all right.

“Absolutely,” I responded.

As the other women left with a promise to text and meet up in an hour, Harper shrugged. “Sorry, my sisters are a little nutty. They won’t even know I’m gone. Whatcha got?”

I showed her our most popular sets. “It’s important to me that every body type is represented.”

“That’s cool. Though, to be honest, I’m more of a basic bra and underwear kind of girl. I never worry about if it matches.” She shrugged. “Besides, I don’t have anyone to show it off to.”

“Neither do I.” My heart squeezed as I said that. “But you can wear it for you. It doesn't have to be for someone else.”

She shrugged again, not totally convinced.

“Take my card at least. Stop by our shop. We’re right downtown.”

“Cool. Maybe I will. I’m Harper, by the way.”

“I’m Ashlyn, and this is my sister, Stella. You’re welcome to hang out with us for as long as you want. This doesn't seem much like your scene, does it?”

“Whatever gave you that impression?” Harper asked wryly. “I know this is weird, but since I have nothing to do while I wait for my sisters, I’d love to help sell your stuff. They’re going to spend an insane amount of time looking at lingerie and I need to keep busy.” When I didn’t respond right away, she kept talking. “I’m good with sales. We have a shop just outside of town, Bits and Bobs Restoration. We sell antiques.”

“That would be perfect,” Stella said. “I have to run to a workshop soon, and if it gets busy, it’s always nice to have a second set of hands.” Stella was far more trusting than I was, but I had to admit I could use the help, and Harper seemed nice.

Stella spent a few minutes showing Harper our products while I rearranged the items we had left. We’d sold quite a bit, and I had business cards from people I wanted to stay in touch with.

“So you sell antiques?” I asked Harper once Stella was gone.

“I work in the family business. We sell second-hand items. Antiques make it sound fancy.” She grinned. “My favorites are when we get to pick through barns and garages. People have the most amazing collections. Have you ever seen the show American Pickers?”

“A few times.”

“Those are the types of things I like to find and sell.” She pulled out her phone to show me pictures of items she’d recently found at a barn sale.

Her enthusiasm was contagious. “You really love this stuff.” While old, dusty, and dirty things were not my cup of tea, I recognized the passion she felt. It was the same for me and the lingerie I created.

Harper’s chest turned as pink as her ears. “I’m sorry. I know I can bore people with this stuff.”

“Not at all. I think it’s pretty interesting.”

She put her phone away. “You know what. Tell me what I should buy, and I will.”

I waved her off. “You don't have to.”

“It’s the least I can do after making you listen to me babble about my junk-capades.”

I chuckled at Harper’s made-up word.

I’d no sooner rung up this gorgeous vibrant purple bra and panty set with the message, “You’re a Badass,” for her to take home when I heard a man clear his throat nearby.