Page 35 of Back Up Plan

“Bullshit,” Tommy said, “You’re scared.”

Rolling her eyes, Ari took a gulp of her tequila sunrise – a drink choice she’d surely regret the next morning.

She looked through the crowd for Cass, who was on the dance floor smiling at another woman. Ari’s skin crawled at the thought.

Tommy leaned into Cass’s ear and said, “See, you want her. And you won’t let yourself have her.”

Ari’s heart raced, watching Cass’s body begin to move with someone else. A part of her was annoyed that Cass even had the time to entertain seeing other people. And another part of her angry that Cass didn’t want to only see her.

The bartender set down a batch of drinks.

Tommy asked, “What would happen if you just tried it?”

Ari shook her head, “You’re trying to cause problems. If you want issues, go to Henrietta’s and hit on a married woman,” she said with a wink.

She grabbed Cass’s drink from the fresh batch as well as her own and followed the path through the crowd, doing her best to avoid spilling any of their beverages.

As she walked, the tequila began to set in.

What is she thinking?

Gritting her teeth, she approached Cass from behind and tapped her on the shoulder, presenting the drink to her.

“Thanks,” Cass said as she turned back to the person who had caught her eye.

Ari rolled her eyes and took a few sips of her drink. As she stood by, watching this other woman look up and down Cass’s body. Ari felt her body tensing.

That’s mine.

She tapped Cass one more time, prompting Cass to turn with a puzzled expression.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Ari asked, barely able to contain her frustration.

Cass smiled through her frustration and nodded, allowing Ari to guide her to a corner nearby.

“Just give me a second,” Cass called back to the person.

Once they were alone, Ari struggled to find words.

“What’s the issue?” Cass asked.

Ari shook her head, “Is it not obvious?”

Cass shrugged, “Not really.”

Ari groaned, “You came here with me and you’re dancing with them?”

Cass laughed and looked back at them. She took a deep breath, Ari’s eye falling down her neck to her chest.

She leaned into Ari’s ears and whispered, “If you want this to be more than it is, you’re going to have to say it.”

Ari considered it for a moment. She knew she couldn’t make that commitment while four shots in after a day in the sun with little food.

But, she tilted Cass’s head to bring her ear closer to her own mouth.

“I don’t think we can sell this without at least having a taste,” Ari whispered back.

Cass’s face flushed pink, hardly able to hide her surprise… And her arousal.

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