Page 1 of The Christmas Plan

1

ARI

The hustleand bustle of Midtown was almost too much. But with Cass’s hand wrapped around Ari’s, she was brought back down to the concrete under her feet.

Settling into a spot just around the ice rink at Rockefeller Center, Ari leaned against the railing and looked over at the unlit Christmas tree.

“You good?” Cass whispered in her ear as she put her arms on either side of Ari’s body, gripping the railing.

With a nod, Ari looked over her shoulder and planted a kiss on Cass’s cheek. “This is the most touristy thing I’ve ever done.” It was true, but it wasn’t the only thing occupying her mind.

Cass giggled. “Well good. Sometimes things are touristy because they’re cool.”

Looking over at the Tree, which towered over the gathering crowd as the sky grew darker by the second, Ari laughed. Cass wasn’t wrong… but then again, when was she ever?

They’d been together for just over six months but Ari already felt like she could see their entire lives laid out before them. It was hard for her not to get giddy about all of it, to know thatthere was a whole world for the two of them, just waiting for them to grab it.

Of course in order to grab it, Ari would have to make more money. Having a wedding, kids, or a house was not cheap business. And although her client list had gotten more dynamic, she was still missing that killer client that would really cap it off.

“I’m so excited.” Cassie bounced up and down, partially to warm up from the cold, December evening and partially from anticipation.

Leaning back into Cass’s body, Ari smiled. “Me too.”

All around Rockefeller Center, massive, fake Christmas ornaments decorated the buildings. LED snowflakes illuminated each lamppost. Smaller Christmas trees lined the edges of the square.

It was undeniably magical. There was a joy in the air that made Ari’s chest grow warm under the bulky wool scarf.

“Look over there.” Cass pointed to a woman and her daughter ice skating in the rink below us. They held hands and laughed as they took each turn clumsily.

Giggling, Ari’s head fell back onto Cass’s head. “That’s so sweet.”

When she looked up from the rink, the Center was completely packed.

After a moment, the spotlight on the tree faded – dropping it into darkness. The crowd, full of regulars, started a countdown without further prompting.

“5…”

Cass’s voice sounded from behind Ari, her chest rumbling against Ari’s.

“4…” The crowd grew louder, the anticipation building.

Ari swallowed as she joined in. “3…”

“2…”

“1…”

Like magic, the towering, eighty-foot tree burst into extravagant color. There wasn’t a single dark spot on the magnificent Norwegian Spruce. The crowd burst into cheers as Rockefeller Center turned into a winter wonderland.

“Wow…” Ari’s jaw dropped as she watched the twinkling lights. A part of her couldn’t believe that it was as incredible as it had been hyped into. But yet, here it was.

Cass giggled. “Right?”

Shaking her head, Ari couldn’t even find the words. But as she searched for them something else came to mind.

“Wait, this is perfect.”

Cass’s forehead wrinkled. “I think so too.”

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