Page 74 of Back Up Plan

Ari nodded, “And that’s the goal, how many of our clients have we just forgotten about because younger, shinier talent showed up at our doorstep? We’re sitting on decades of gold that we’ve covered in dirt.”

Tommy smiled, “Look at you.”

Ari shrugged.

Without any warning, Tommy asked, “Did you reinvite Cass?”

Confused, Ari shook her head, “Why would I do that?”

“You named your career making client overall after her,” Tommy said.

Ari rolled her eyes, “We’ve been over this Tommy. I’m only able to do this kind of workbecauseshe’s not around. I couldn’t be there for her the way she needs.”

Tommy nodded and sipped her coffee, “And when did she say that was an issue?”

“She has trust issues, big ones. And a partner who stays late at the office almost every night and has to take clients to expensive dinners doesn’t instill a lot of trust,” Ari said, convincing herself.

Tommy shrugged, just about ready to drop it, but not without adding, “She just never seemed like the jealous type.”

Turning back to her computer, Ari thought about it more. She did miss Cass. But a part of her still hoped they could be friends eventually. If Cass could ever forgive her for confronting Elle.

Maybe it was Ari with the jealous streak…

By five, the deck was done. Jess was off to the printers to get the finalized edition prepared for the partners meeting.

As Ari looked around, she couldn’t find much else to do. Her inbox was clear, her schedule was double-checked. All that was left was for Ari to head home, get a good night’s sleep, and prepare for her big day. With the presentation in the morning and the Gala at night, she was sure to be exhausted.

She grabbed her bag and headed for the door. Making sure to say good night to Agatha, who was surprised to see her leave so early.

As she exited the building and made her way toward home, she took a deep breath. She hadn’t been outside during daylight hours much in the last two weeks. Even on the weekends, she found herself taking calls from clients and sitting in dark theaters.

Wanting to make it last just a bit longer, and truthfully, wanting to avoid going back to her empty apartment, Ari made a stop at a dollar pizza shop.

Though, calling it a dollar pizza shop was no longer accurate since you couldn’t find a slice for less than $1.50, the name still stuck. Ari ordered a slice of plain and handed the cashier three bucks.

She took her pizza, paper plate and all, and continued her walk. The mid-July air was hot, but the breeze off of the river kept her cool enough.

Finishing her slice in a matter of minutes, Ari only had a block or two before she was turning toward her building.

“Hi Jerry,” she said to the doorman, “Any packages?”

He shook his head, “No, ma’am. Glad to see you home so early. Any plans with the missus tonight.”

Ari smiled, “No, we actually aren’t seeing each other any more.”

Jerry frowned, “Sorry to hear that. I’m sure you’ll find something better soon enough.”

Ari shrugged, “Probably not.”

She tapped the front desk and headed toward the elevators, “Thanks, man.”

He waved after her as she disappeared and headed upstairs.

Lucky for her, an elevator was already open when she approached. She stood still in the elevator, watching the numbers climb to nine. It couldn’t move fast enough, memories of Cass holding her hand flooded to the front of her mind.

She shook it off and exited once the familiar ding flung the doors open. Strolling toward her door, she looked around the hallway, reluctant to dig her keys out of her bag.

A part of her hoped she’d left them in the office so she wouldn’t have to go in just yet.

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