Page 80 of Back Up Plan

When they arrived, Cass immediately squealed, “Ariel and Tommy!”

They laughed as they joined the rest of their group, Ari sliding in next to Cass.

“Did you eat before the show?” Ari asked, eyeing Cass who seemed a little too tipsy from one-drink.

Instead of answering, Cass took another sip of her drink. She set it down on the bar and wrapped her arms around Ari’s waist like a boa constrictor.

She looked up into Ari’s eyes and smiled, “I love you.”

Ari smiled back and repeated, “I love you too, Cassie.”

Tommy and Ari grabbed a drink too, adding it to Cass’s tab, something that happened more often since she got her own promotion a few months after the Gala. Ari’s ambition and drive for work had been a huge influence on Cass recentering her focus on her career goals.

Once they had caught up, the group was laughing and making the whole bar roll their eyes.

As Tommy and Gabby laughed, two good friends now, Cass leaned over to Ari, using her own hand to bring Ari’s ear to her mouth.

She whispered, “Can you take me home?”

Ari smiled and nodded.

She turned to Gabs and Tom, and interrupted, “We’re actually going to head out guys.”

“Booo, boring couple,” Tommy cried, Gabby joining in.

Ari rolled her eyes and said, “This is what you both wanted, so now you have to deal with it.”

They hugged and said their goodbyes, Cass rushing her way through it all.

“I love you both,” she said as she brought the two in for a hug.

Cass and Ari made their way out of the bar and headed downtown toward Ari’s place.

Suddenly walking straighter and with purpose, Cass was basically running down the street.

Ari tilted her head, “That drink wore off face.”

“Maybe you should sign me because I’m such a great actress,” Cass said, turning to look back at Ari who had fallen a few feet behind her.

Taking a look at her girlfriend, Ari examined the tight emerald skirt that Cass was wearing, every time she wore it, Ari knew she was feeling a little excited.

Cass laughed and continued, “You didn’t really think one drink would make methattipsy did you?”

“Hey, I’m a trusting person,” Ari smiled.

Cass slowed down and looped her arm with Ari’s as she whispered, “I just wanted some time with Ms. Graves tonight. If that’s something you’re interested in.”

Ari nodded, like a kid in a candy shop.

The rest of the way home was fast, both of them too excited to waste any time.

When Ari’s apartment door finally swung open, they could barely keep their hands off of each other. Cass’s hand slapped Ari’s ass as the door slammed shut.

They made their way through Ari’s more decorated apartment, finally looking lived in, to the bedroom.

The walls were no longer blank.

Though Cass hadn’t moved injustyet, her presence was all over the place. Even Ari’s room was fitted with a gorgeous, vintage rug.

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