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Chapter One
TARA
“AND… THAT’S A WRAP FOR TODAY! Thank you all so much for joining me today and for subscribing to my channel. Your support truly means the world to me, and I wouldn’t be here today without you. I love you all, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow at seven! Remember, I’m here every day, and you guys are my life! Bye!!”
Tara Bardot turned off her stream and stepped away from her camera. It was getting late, and she was supposed to meet up with her husband, Rowan, in midtown to celebrate their six years together as husband and wife. He had to work late tonight, telling Tara he’d meet her there instead so he wouldn’t have to rush home first to change. And besides, 7pm was usually her time in the evenings. It’ll only disturb her if he came in while she was online.
Stripping off her online persona, she hopped into the shower and turned on the water. The steam filling up the bathroom was just what she needed to end her day. As water soaked through her dark blonde hair, she looked over at the mosaic owl sitting on her marble sink. It made her reminisce on her last video, just two days ago, when she gave her fans a tour of her bathroom. From the hand-stitched towels to the gold-framed mirror, all made possible because of her loyal followers, and she couldn’t ask for a better life. Her life just seemed so perfect.
As she washed the shampoo off her hair, she wondered what present Rowan had in store for her tonight. He usually went all out with their anniversaries, surprising her each year with a more lavish gift than the last. Last year, he got her a diamond necklace that was worth more than most people’s cars. And she was just so ecstatic that the first thing she did was show it off online. She had to share with the world the joys of her life. Otherwise, she didn’t see the point in experiencing any of it.
A few minutes later, she turned off the showerhead and walked into her closet to get dressed… but not without some help. She grabbed her phone and turned her camera live, grabbing five different dresses she was debating between and holding each one up to her body while the votes poured in.
“Emerald green it is, thanks guys!”
Then her phone rang. She picked it up, and Rowan was on the other line.
“Hey, babe, I’m getting ready now. I should be there in about forty minutes.” Her voice was cheerful and upbeat, like she didn’t have a worry in the world.
However, the same couldn’t be said for her husband. “For… forty minutes? You were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago! I made reservations, remember? Everything’s getting cold!”
“Relax, babe,” she said again. “Just order another glass of scotch or something. I’ll be there soon. Besides, you know I can’t leave the house unless I’m absolutely perfect.”
“Whatever, just hurry the fuck up.”
Then he hung up, without even saying goodbye. If Tara didn’t know any better, she could swear he was rolling his eyes at her before he hung up.
Typical Rowan,she thought. Always in such a rush. He just doesn’t understand how important my lifestyle is to me. Without it, I’m no one.
She finished dabbing on the rest of her makeup and pinned a pair of diamond earrings onto her lobes before tucking her petite feet into her heels and heading out the door. The sound and smell of the Big Apple never seemed to stop amazing her. She grew up in the small countryside of Wisconsin, so when she moved to the bustling city that never sleeps, she just couldn’t get enough. From the quirky people to the delicious food to the never-ending shopping and Broadway shows, there was always something waiting for her outside her door.
“Hey, Tara, over here! Over here!”
She whipped her head around and saw a young girl running in her direction. She was wearing a pink tutu, with her hair in pigtails, and a face full of makeup. Her glittery pink backpack tossed from side to side as she ran. Her mother wasn’t far behind her as she pounced over.
“Tara! Tara Bardot! I can’t believe it’s you! You’re my idol. I LOVE your channel!”
“Aw, that’s so sweet. Always a pleasure to meet my fans.”
The girl reached into her backpack and pulled out her phone. “Can I get a picture with you, please? My friends will never believe that I met the Tara Bardot!”
Tara smiled. “Of course, um…”
“Jessica. Jessica Simmons. And that’s my mom!” She pointed behind her as Tara waved.
Six snaps of a camera later, Tara made a quick stop at one of her favorite local coffee shops to grab herself a sugary treat before heading toward the subway. The restaurant was a twenty-minute ride away, and she couldn’t bear the thought of sitting through the entire ride without having something to sip on.
As she walked, she carefully tried to snap a picture of her cup against the city skyline, something for her, and her fans, to remember the day, her focus so attentive toward her phone that she failed to notice the man walking in her direction.
“Oops, sorry!” he said when he bumped into her.
“Hey, watch it! You almost made me spill my drink. This is a five-hundred-dollar dress, you know?” she loudly exclaimed, barely looking up.
“Oh, trust me, I do know.”
“What?”
But when Tara looked up, she didn’t see the scruffy drug addict she had expected to see. She didn’t see a homeless man with ripped clothing and torn shoes. Instead, she saw a god, with his dark hair, deep eyes, and toned chest. She could barely keep her eyes off him.
