Page 53 of Back Up Plan

Nodding, Cass rested her head on the couch cushion, “Do you think she can handle Elle?”

“Well, all that really matters is if she can be there for you,” Gabby said.

Cass nodded, she was right. Cass knew that Ari cared for her, and she didn’t even reallywantAri to confront Elle. She just wanted to know that Ari wouldn’t be swayed by the charm that Elle seemed to seduce everyone with.

“Do you think it’s more than casual?” Gabby asked, not wanting to cross the line.

She considered it for a moment. On the one hand, Cass wasn’t so worried about crossing into anything more than friends. But, Ari had been clear that she didn’t have time for anything serious.

Cass shook her head, convincing herself, “No, I just think I feel safe with her and that’s new.”

Gabby nodded, “Yeah, I get that.”

Cass gave Gabby’s leg a couple of pats and stood as she said, “I’m going to get some sleep, I have a job tomorrow.”

Gabby smiled up at her and said, “Love you, buddy.”

“I love you too, Gabs,” Cass said as she meandered down the dark hallway to her room.

She collapsed into her bed, staring up at the white ceilings. As she drifted to sleep, she could still imagine Ari’s strong arms creating a wall around her. She had had amazing sex followed by an even more amazing snuggle. Ari made Cass feel safe, not just while they had sex, but right after when she needed that tenderness the most.

And Cass hadn’t had to coach Ari on that part.

She was starting to wonder what it would feel like to wake up with Ari every morning, to commute to work together, to hang out with Gabby after a long day.

You’re playing a dangerous game, Cass.

15

ARI

Ari tappedher finger on her glass-top desk, staring out her window.

Tonight was Elle’s Engagement Party and Ari felt entirely unprepared. Even after a few sessions at the dungeon and more dates getting to know each other, Ari felt like there were thousands of layers to Cass that she wanted to learn.

She was beginning to wonder if she ever would know her completely.

She checked her watch, she had a lunch meeting with Tommy in a few minutes, and reception had already brought in their lunch order.

Jess had briefed her earlier on some artists she had scouted over the week, giving Ari a list of artists to check out while they were still in the city.

Feeling more equipped to use Jess’s abilities, Ari had asked her to make a brief report on each artist and how they’d fit into Ari’s roster.

Cass had just replied to her text with a thumbs up and simple:

I told you I could help ;)

It had made Ari blush as she stood up from her desk and headed over to Tommy’s, grabbing her salad from Jess’s desk.

“I’d like those reports before the end of the day if you…” Ari stopped herself from adding an obligatory, “If you can” and instead finished with a smile and a simple, “Thank you.”

Jess nodded, turned back to her desk, and started to type more vigorously on the document she had open on her desktop.

Ari walked down the hallway toward Tommy’s office, looking to the conference room.

She thought back to just about a month before when her bosses had sat her down for the check-in.

It was before Cass had even entered her life, and even just a short time later, she felt as though she was a completely different person.

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