Page 58 of Back Up Plan

Heading out now, and will listen toallof this later. But I’m glad you followed my instructions.

Cass’s body had been invigorated all over again. She hadn’t had time to do anything with the message that she had wanted to but she was saving it for later, a treat for the end of what was guaranteed to be a difficult night.

She waited around the block from Elle’s place, at the Jefferson L stop in Brooklyn. She rarely made a trek all the way out here, but surely it would be worth it to rub her new… whatever it was, in Elle’s face.

What Cass hadn’t told Ari was that Elle had been engaged a few times, despite only being in her late 20s. She was quick to the punch and was always convinced that each new relationship was trulyThe One. But, Elle couldn’t stop being selfish enough to actually keep any of her incredible past partners. Cass included.

As she checked the time, she started to worry Ari wouldn’t make it. They had agreed to arrive forty five minutes late, not so rude that they would be actively disrespectful but rude enough to show Elle that she had better things to do.

Ari had suggested they get tipsy on the free booze, get loose with their hands, and head out early.

Cass shook her foot, the heel of her Doc’s clicking against the cement.

From the subway, Ari appeared.

Shocked, Cass scrunched her eyebrows and said, “I’m sorry, is that Ariel Graves leaving a subway station?”

Ari blushed, a giggle squeaking out, “Hey, I take the subway. Okay?”

Cass brought her in for a hug, kissed her on the cheek, and said, “Defensive much?”

“Just a little sensitive,” Ari confessed.

Cass smiled, happy Ari could tell her how she really felt. She slung her arm around Ari’s shoulder, bringing her into her warmth, “Well, then get in here.”

They started to walk toward Elle’s apartment. After about half a block, Cass took her arm away and Ari offered hers to interloop.

Cass felt like such a lady in Ari’s arms. She hadn’t even stopped to look at her outfit. Her tight fitting t-shirt, one they had picked out together and briefly argued about who should keep it, framed her body perfectly, hiding and revealing so much at the same time. Cass’s eyes fell to the bright pop of color under the shirt.

She lifted her eyebrows, distracted by how good Ari’s breasts looked.

“You’re a little pervert,” Ari leaned in and whispered in Cass’s ear.

Cass laughed and looked into Ari’s hazel eyes, “Was that not obvious from my requests?”

“More like demands,” Ari said with an eye roll.

“You like when I’m demanding,” Cass said, pouting and giving Ari her best puppy eyes.

Ari smiled, “How was work?”

Cass smiled and laughed, “I got an email from Ms. Graves’s assistant, Jessica.”

“Well, ya know, conflict of interest and all,” Ari said, lifting her hands up in defense.

Cass prodded, “Are there conflicts of interest in working withjustfriends?”

Ari smiled but pulled back. Cass had crossed a line she hadn’t known had been drawn.

“Sorry,” she offered.

Ari shrugged and smiled, trying to recover the nice walk, “No, you’re alright. I’m just touchy.”

Cass nodded, wanting to believe her answer.

Was she starting to feel something more than casual?

She didn’t have much time to consider it before they would be ringing the buzzer of Elle’s stoop. Instead, she focused her mind on seeing her ex.

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