Page 40 of Shapes of Love
“Sure,” I lie. I have mixed feelings about these fundraisers. I like the idea of helping communities that need it, but I’m not sure how organizing a silent auction and a ball for rich people helps anyone. It’s like I have to parade down the red carpet to announceI’m a good person. Am I even? The only thing I did was donate a few items for an auction; it’s not a hands-on effort. I haven’t helped anyone directly. It feels like Marissa and my label just want me there for optics and networking.
“I’ll tell the makeup team and your stylist to be there at elevenAM, sharp.” Marissa injects some enthusiasm into her voice. “Don’t be picky about makeup, please. Change your look a bit.”
“I’m not…” Am I? I love makeup, but I need to stick to a handful of familiar products or else I have to fight the urge to wash it all off. Eyeliner, eye shadow, highlighter, and lip gloss are all fine, but heavy foundations and certain textures of lipstick make me want to scratch my skin off.
“I’m excited to see your dress! Send me pictures, okay?” Marissa hangs up before I can get another word in. I exhale a tight breath and rub my temples before making my way to the living room.
“Everything all right?” Asher asks, turning to look at me. He’s toying with a spaceship model kit on his shelf and showing it to an impressed Kai. His curiosity sounds genuine, but I still don’t trust him.Who the fuck are you? What version of you should I believe?
“Angry manager,” I huff, plopping down on the love seat next to them.
“A kitty!” Kai opens his arms when Asher’s orange tabby cat emerges from another room. He perches on the edge of the couch with a loud meow.
“This is Muse.” Asher picks him up and places him on Kai’s lap. I expect orange-cat behavior, but he just lies down on Kai’s chest and starts purring when he pets him.
“I know. Sasha and I stalked your socials,” Kai says.
“Oh, have you?” Asher swivels like a cartoon villain and gives me a smirk.
“Guys, what if we’re just characters in someone’s story?” Kai gasps. “Do we even have free will?”
My cheeks burn. “I thought you said these gummies were mild and could help with the pain.”
“They are. I take them before bed and they knock me out,” Asher admits. Does he have trouble sleeping? “Have you tried them before? I thought this stuff was legal in California.”
“We did a few times in high school, but neither of us likedit,” I say, catching myself too late. I shouldn’t be sharing that kind of thing with him, but I’m tired, and Asher’s finally dropped his guard. I can’t tell if it’s just an act to make me drop mine.
“I’m really sorry.” Asher rubs his forehead, putting the model kit back on the shelf. The bags under his eyes look more prominent under the dim, warm light. “This is all my fault.”
“It is,” I say, not dropping my gaze. At least he’s remorseful and can admit he fucked up.
“Well, a bet’s a bet. I lost. I’ll do whatever you want.” He reaches for his phone and turns to Kai. “I know everyone. And everyone who knows anyone, so what do you want? I have access to everything you could possibly want. Just name it and it’s yours.”
It should have come off as cocky, but something about the way he said it feels… empty.
“Your cat. I’m keeping Muse,” Kai says. He grabs Muse by the paws and makes him dance. “Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Macarena…”
I’m never letting him do weed again.
“Muse is off-limits.” Asher pulls Muse off Kai’s lap. He heads to the kitchen on the other side of the room and refills his water bowl.
“Liar.” Kai pouts. “You said anything.”
“I have something,” I say. “That thing you keep asking me about… about me and Kai? Don’t ever mention it again.” Asher and I lock eyes. My heart thumps, but I will my voice not to shake. “There’s no reason for me to date you. Ever. In a real or a fake way. I’m not interested.”
Asher nods, his eyes apologetic. For a moment, I feel like I see him, the real him, whoever he is, but a second later, he’s gone.
“Fair enough,” Asher says. He rummages through his cabinets and produces a can of wet food for Muse, then cracks a tiny egg over the bowl.
“Damn, your cat eats better than me,” I mumble.
The sound of keys startles me, distracting me for a second, then the door slams open. I search Asher’s face—I thought he lived alone—but he’s facing a corridor I can’t see from where I’m standing.
“Ashy, guess who’s engaged! She said yes!” says a woman’s voice. There’s a thud, like she just took off her shoes unceremoniously. “Tara says you’re officially on best man duty—”
“Rosa—” Asher scrambles to his feet, a panicked look on his face.
Rosa? His ex, Rosa?
