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We wave goodbye, then hang up. I love seeing how happy they are together. I wonder if it’s in the cards for me. Just when I think it could be, something happens and reminds me it’s just a fantasy.I arrive at The Rose around six, but of course my sister isn’t here. She’s notorious for being late, so I find an empty table and order a drink while I wait. As I scroll through my Instagram, I come across a photo of Ryan. It shocks me because I can’t remember the last time he’s posted on social media. It’s a photo of him in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. He’s wearing scrubs like usual, but it’s obvious someone else took the picture. That leaves me with one guess.
“Hi,” a deep voice grabs my attention, and I look up.
“Hello,” I respond nicely, though I have no idea who he is.
“I’m Edward.” He holds out his hand.
“Kendall,” I reply, taking it.
“I was wondering if I could buy you a drink. Yours looks almost empty.” He nods his head toward my watermelon martini.
I suck in my lips, unsure of how to respond.
“Oh, um…that’s so kind of you, but actually, I’m meeting my sister here and don’t want to get drunk waiting for her,” I say kindly. While I’m technically single, a part of me would feel guilty accepting a drink from a strange man.
“Okay, well let me know if you change your mind.” He flashes me a wink, then walks away.
I blow out a breath, wondering if I’ll ever move on. I’m twenty-four and should want to meet new people, but Ryan’s embedded into my heart.
“Hey!” Piper squeals as she comes to the table, plopping her ass down across from me. “Sorry, I’m late. I was filming a video and lost track of time.”
I laugh. “I figured. You’re a celebrity.”
“Oh shut up. Who isn’t YouTube famous these days?” She waves me off.
“Literally millions of people.” I snort.
“Okay well anyway, I need a dirty martini stat. Then you and I are talking all about boys.”
“Boys? Are we thirteen now?” I take a sip of my drink and am ready for another.
“Men, whatever.” She rolls her eyes and waves over a waitress. Piper orders a drink and an appetizer, and I get another martini.
Once the server walks away, I continue, “Well, maybe you’re dating boys, but I’d rather not be seen with anyone under twenty-five.”
“You’re not even twenty-five!”
“Exactly! Older men are where it’s at…or so I’ve learned.” I shrug because I’ve never had a preference before him.
“Good, we’re diving straight into Ryan gossip.”
“No, thanks. Already had that unpleasant convo with Cami, and I’m done for the year.”
“That’s not fair, I wasn’t there. I need to be caught up!” she demands.
After our drinks arrive, I tell her everything and give her all the dirty details she wants even though it hurts to repeat it.
“So you think he’s with this Rachelle bitch now?”
“Piper!” I scold.
“Well, am I wrong? She’s swooping in on your man. If she was someone with a following, I’d make a video about it and expose her.”
“Jesus. YouTubers are ruthless.” I laugh.
“You have no idea. Speaking of which, Dad hired a bodyguard.”
I scrunch my nose because this is news to me. “A bodyguard? For what?”
“For me, apparently. There’s been this stalker…he’s been commenting on my videos and sending me messages for the past six months. He completely crossed the line when he sent me naked pictures of himself. Then he emailed photos of my apartment building, so he knows where I live. Dad found out and lost his shit. Demanded I shut down my entire account! I have twenty million followers. I’m not giving that up for some psycho.”
“Piper, are you serious? How could you not tell me that?”
“Because I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. I get crazy fans all the time. Dad’s just being overprotective.”
“So where is your bodyguard now?” I ask.
“He’s standing outside the restaurant,” she says, nodding toward the door. “Really fucking fine too.”
“For real? He just follows you around all day?”
“Only when I leave the house.” She taps her long nails on the table and smirks. “Which means he’s basically on call twenty-four seven.”
“Wow…that’s intense. How long is he supposed to guard you?”
“Dad says until they find the guy and can be sure he’s no longer a threat. Could be a month, could be a year. I honestly don’t know.”
“Wow, Pipe. That’s…unsettling.” Instinctively, I look around. “So why’s he outside?”
“He walked the perimeter and knows what my stalker looks like. So if he happens to show up, he’ll stop him before he even gets in. Honestly, I think the douche is harmless and just wants my attention, but Dad seems to think it’s motivated by money. So to give him reassurance, I let the hot bodyguard be my shadow.”
