Page 51 of Christmas Crisis
ME:Also—are you okay? Do you need me? Should I fly down?
ME:I know you’re coming up here in a few days, but if you need to get out of town sooner I’ll make it happen.
MIRANDA:Down boy. Gimme a sec to get to a quiet place. I’ll FaceTime you.
Ten minutes later—enough time for me to determine that I could be at SeaTac and in the air to Los Angeles within two hours—my phone rattled with thedut-da-duh-da-dut-dutof an incoming video call.
I hit the green button, and Miranda appeared. I’d expected her to look exhausted. Heartbroken. But the woman on screen was clear-eyed and stunning as always. Her expression sparkled with…contrition? And was that…humor?
“Leo, I am so, so sorry. I didn’t get a chance to give you the heads-up before everything happened. I was trying to figure out the best approach, especially since you still seemed so salty about me dating Stone when I saw you at the engagement party. The PR teams were supposed to wait until after Christmas, especially with all the good press Stone just got promoting Maureen’s video.”
Taking a breath, I recalled that Maureen had recently re-launched her YouTube channel,Fashion Vibes with Francesa, and Stone had helped promote it to his followers.
“You knew Stone was with Naomi? Why didn’t you tell me?” At her continued look of self-reproach, my confusion heightened.
A door opened off Miranda’s side. To my bewilderment, Stone walked into the room, leaning down behind her.
“Yo, Leo, my dude, this mix-up is totally my fault. I’ve been, like, keeping Miranda locked down while we figured this whole thing out. Then there was a little snafu with me missing a text from my people about the timing of the info drop. Lolz. My bad, man. Bygones.”
What the fuck? Was this guy for real?
Miranda swatted Stone on the shoulder. “Stop doing peak Stone right now. You can just be normal with Leo.”
“No. Not bygones. No fucking way,” I snarled. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing there with Miranda right now, but you don’t get to cheat on my friend and—”
“Whoa—” Stone flinched.
“Let me—” Miranda put a placating palm on Stone’s elbow. To the camera, she said, “It’s not like that. No one’s cheating on anyone. It’s all for publicity.”
“Publicity?”
“Yeah, man—” Stone started, but Miranda stopped him again.
“Their publicists cooked up this scheme to get publicity for the movie,” Miranda spoke rapidly. “The photos are staged. They’re not together.”
I sat down, catching my breath as my arms fell to my sides. “What?”
“Bear, put the phone back up so I can see your face.”
“Sorry.” I flipped the kickstand on the case and set it on the coffee table.
“From this angle, you really do look like a big ol’ Viking,” Stone offered, grinning.
I narrowed my eyes at his ridiculous, massive white teeth.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t call you before this got out because I knew you’d worry,” Miranda said, and I saw her twisting her hands together. “But I’m telling you now. Stone asked my permission before they did anything, and I told him I’m okay with it. We’re not known as a couple, so it’s not like he’sembarrassing me or anything. And if it helps his career, I’m all for it.”
“But there were pictures. He was kissing her.”
“You of all people should know that not all physical affection is as it seems.” She raised her eyebrows meaningfully.
Stone decided it was okay for him to talk again. “Dude, how I am with Naomi is like how you are with Miranda. Just really good pals. She understands how hard it is to play the celebrity game. Naomi’s trying to change her image, same as me, and she’s been helping me learn the ropes.”
I attempted to look directly at Stone. “Just because you don’t have an issue with my friendship with Miranda—rightfully so—doesn’t mean Miranda owes you this. This would be a huge ask under any circumstances, and it’s even more so when your relationship is being plastered all over the internet.”
Miranda sighed. “I’m okay with it. Promise.” The picture distorted for thirty seconds, and I heard her mumble something to Stone. A moment later, her face reappeared, except this time, she was in an unfamiliar bathroom. “Okay, Leo-Bear. Stone can’t hear us. So say whatever you need to.”
I wasted no time. “I’m just struggling to believe you’re really okay with this.”
