Ashna was used to the spellbinding impact both Yash and Rico had on people, but this instant bromance thing was hilarious.

“I’d say it seemed mutual.” In all her life, Ashna had never seen Yash gush. Yash had gushed.

Getting a smile out of Rico was more gratifying than it should be.

“Listen, Ashna . . .” He stepped closer, and she almost turned to him.

Before he could say more, the door flew open and Song walked in, a wide smile brightening her dewy, fresh face. Rico turned to her and smiled.

Her skin was like porcelain—not one single blemish. No bags under her eyes from all-night headaches. Her hair danced in a swishy bob around her softly rounded jaw. She was flawless, and filled with joy. And Ashna could see Rico’s joy-seeking heart lap it up.

Ashna’s bun pulled at her scalp and she tugged at it. It was extra tight today and all she wanted was to untie and retie it, so it didn’t make her feel like a cross between a school headmistress and a spinster governess from a period film. The only thing she needed to complete the look was a big hairy wart on her chin.

Then she met Rico’s eyes in the mirror and suddenly she was looking at herself through them. It had been her downfall, the way he looked at her.

He turned away from her, his gaze clinging to hers before he shifted his focus to Song. She said something about her niece and laughed, and fell against him. There might have been a little too much wine flowing at the family meet-and-greet.

Ashna’s vision blurred, and the mirror turned hazy, shrouding Rico and Song behind clouds. They were both laughing now. Together.

How she had loved making him laugh. His laughter had always filled her up like sunlight streaming through a crack in a dank, dark room.

Only, now she knew the cold emptiness it left behind when his sunlight was gone.

She forced herself out of her chair and excused herself.

The pounding in her head was bad enough that she should go home, Shobi or no Shobi.

The party was still in full swing in the lounge. Tatiana threw her arms around Ashna. She was wearing a white dog collar with rhinestones today, matched up with her puppy—of course her puppy was her visiting family. “Sorry ’bout the tantrum yesterday. Totally bad form,” she said.

“I’m sorry about the elimination,” Ashna said petting the gorgeous black dachshund.

“Yeah, it’s a bitch. But we were all competing for something when we know who’s going to win.”

“We don’t know for sure that Danny’s going to win,” Ashna said, and Tatiana laughed a big belly laugh.

“I like you. No wonder men are throwing themselves at knives for you.”