Page 70 of Shapes of Love
Wait, Asher?Mia shoots me a look, her eyes darting toward my phone. With a sinking feeling, I navigate to my social media, and sure enough, there it is: a picture from Toni and Malvin’s New Year’s party. In the background, unmistakably, Mia can be seen kissing Asher’s cheek, but it’s blurry, so it’s up to interpretation what was going on between them. One of our relatives must have posted it without noticing Asher in the background and the press must have found it.
The first article I click on has a flashy headline:ASHER GRISH MOVES ON FROM ROSA LÓPEZ WITH SASSY’S CHILDHOOD FRIEND. SOURCES CONFIRM SASSY INTRODUCED THEM OVER THE HOLIDAYS, AND ALTHOUGH IT’S NEW, THEY’VE BEEN DATING SERIOUSLY FOR A MONTH. LOOKS LIKE SASSY’S NOT JUST A GREAT SINGER, BUT ALSO AN INCREDIBLE MATCHMAKER!
What the fuck is this garbage?
“Right. And then you fucked him.” Jason’s voice is laced with a sinister edge.
“What the fuck? I just said I kissed him on the cheek.” Mia’s voice shakes in a way that makes me want to kick Jason out of her place. “You need to calm down. It meant nothing. You know I love you.”
“She’s telling the truth,” I interrupt, stepping betweenthem and putting a hand on Jason’s chest so he backs off. “I was there. It was my idea, actually.”
“It was your idea for my girlfriend to kiss another dude?” He frowns.
“I kissed Asher on the cheek as a joke, then Mia did the same.”
“And your boyfriend let you?” Jason says.
“Huh?” I cross my arms. “It wasn’t even a real kiss. Nothing happened after. I understand you’re confused, but she’s telling the truth. This is how the press works. They like to make up rumors—”
Jason scowls. “Okay, no offense, but shut up. This has nothing to do with you.”
“Bro, you shut up,” I say, gathering my courage. If Mia can’t speak right now, I don’t mind speaking for us both. “It has everything to do with me because I was there. It was a stupid New Year’s kiss on the cheek. You have the right to be upset, but not to treat Mia like this.”
“Then let me see your phone.” Jason pushes me aside and tries to reach for Mia’s phone on the couch.
I grab it before he can. “The fuck you think you’re doing?”
“It’s not a big deal, Sasha,” Mia says. She’s rubbing her temples, but her voice is thick, like she wants to cry. “Just give him my phone. I have nothing to hide.” Mia’s hands gently grip Jason’s arms in an attempt to soothe him. “Jason, you can trust me.”
“Why can’t I see your phone if you’re innocent?” Jason says, softening.
“Seriously?” I scoff, unable to contain my anger at the whole situation. “Dude, either you trust her, or you don’t.”
“It’s not so simple,” he barks. “All my friends think she cheated. I look like a fool.”
“But she didn’t. She just told you,” I say. “Look, if you can’t trust her, you’re wasting her time and yours.”
Jason’s eyes widen. He looks between me and Mia. Silence spreads, but the more it drags, the more my stomach clenches. Mia takes a tentative step toward him, pleading for understanding. There’s a brief flicker of uncertainty on his face when Mia touches him, and for a second, I think I’ve convinced him.
Then Jason grabs his jacket and flings the door open. “I can’t do this. I’m sorry. We’re done.”
“Wait—” Mia cries out. She swipes her phone from my hand and bolts after Jason, throwing me a nasty look on her way out. “Thanks for that, by the way.”
The door slams shut in my face, and I freeze, not fully sure of what just happened. I didn’t mean to break them up. I was trying to stand up for her.
My breath catches, and I press my thumbs against my eyes with horror. I don’t realize my hands are shaking until I reach for my phone to send Mia a text.just text me so I know you’re okay.
Hours slip by, but there’s no response. I don’t know what to do, who to call. Kai? Asher? Panic tightens its grip on my heart. She’s not picking up, and it’s pitch-black outside in the middle of New York. Not only that, it’s winter. And she left without a coat—
The sound of keys rattling outside has me sprinting toward the door as it bolts open with a hollow thud. “Mimi?”
Mia walks in, her figure silhouetted against the harsh light of the corridor. I lock my arms around her in a fierce hug, but she shoves me aside.
“Don’t.” She turns to me blankly, huddled in Jason’s hoodie. Her voice is hoarse, like she’s been crying.
“Are you guys still broken up?” I ask.
“No, I managed to fix it.” She marches to her bedroom and flops on her bed, her back to me. “I just want to go to sleep.”
