The Christmas Plan (Sapphics in the City #4)

1. Ari

1

ARI

The hustle and bustle of Midtown was almost too much. But with Cass’s hand wrapped around Ari’s, she was brought back down to the concrete under her feet.

Settling into a spot just around the ice rink at Rockefeller Center, Ari leaned against the railing and looked over at the unlit Christmas tree.

“You good?” Cass whispered in her ear as she put her arms on either side of Ari’s body, gripping the railing.

With a nod, Ari looked over her shoulder and planted a kiss on Cass’s cheek. “This is the most touristy thing I’ve ever done.” It was true, but it wasn’t the only thing occupying her mind.

Cass giggled. “Well good. Sometimes things are touristy because they’re cool.”

Looking over at the Tree, which towered over the gathering crowd as the sky grew darker by the second, Ari laughed. Cass wasn’t wrong… but then again, when was she ever?

They’d been together for just over six months but Ari already felt like she could see their entire lives laid out before them. It was hard for her not to get giddy about all of it, to know that there was a whole world for the two of them, just waiting for them to grab it.

Of course in order to grab it, Ari would have to make more money. Having a wedding, kids, or a house was not cheap business. And although her client list had gotten more dynamic, she was still missing that killer client that would really cap it off.

“I’m so excited.” Cassie bounced up and down, partially to warm up from the cold, December evening and partially from anticipation.

Leaning back into Cass’s body, Ari smiled. “Me too.”

All around Rockefeller Center, massive, fake Christmas ornaments decorated the buildings. LED snowflakes illuminated each lamppost. Smaller Christmas trees lined the edges of the square.

It was undeniably magical. There was a joy in the air that made Ari’s chest grow warm under the bulky wool scarf.

“Look over there.” Cass pointed to a woman and her daughter ice skating in the rink below us. They held hands and laughed as they took each turn clumsily.

Giggling, Ari’s head fell back onto Cass’s head. “That’s so sweet.”

When she looked up from the rink, the Center was completely packed.

After a moment, the spotlight on the tree faded – dropping it into darkness. The crowd, full of regulars, started a countdown without further prompting.

“5…”

Cass’s voice sounded from behind Ari, her chest rumbling against Ari’s.

“4…” The crowd grew louder, the anticipation building.

Ari swallowed as she joined in. “3…”

“2…”

“1…”

Like magic, the towering, eighty-foot tree burst into extravagant color. There wasn’t a single dark spot on the magnificent Norwegian Spruce. The crowd burst into cheers as Rockefeller Center turned into a winter wonderland.

“Wow…” Ari’s jaw dropped as she watched the twinkling lights. A part of her couldn’t believe that it was as incredible as it had been hyped into. But yet, here it was.

Cass giggled. “Right?”

Shaking her head, Ari couldn’t even find the words. But as she searched for them something else came to mind.

“Wait, this is perfect.”

Cass’s forehead wrinkled. “I think so too.”

Turning around in Cass’s arms, Ari faced her girlfriend. “No, Cass, not this… Well, this is perfect. But I have an idea.”

“Go on.” Cass giggled while pursing her lips.

“I need a big client.” Ari scoffed like it was all so obvious.

But this only prompted Cass to scrunch her face up more. “Yes?”

Ari put her hands on Cassie’s shoulders. “Right, and Christmas is the perfect time to get people feeling cozy and generous.”

“Okay?” Trying desperately to follow along, Cass’s blue eyes flicked across Ari’s face.

“A holiday party. Get a bunch of new and old clients to attend and get them signed before the New Year.” Ari snapped.

Cass smirked. “Now I get it!”

Biting her lip, Ari’s mind started churning. “It would be the perfect chance to invite Hazel Ford.”

“And to get some of your older clients around to chat about the future.” Fully in it now, Cass nodded. But her face turned sour. “Ari, one problem. It’s already December 4th.”

“Shit.” Ari’s head dropped. It was the one thing she’d forgotten to consider. “I guess that settles it. No way I can get that together before everyone leaves town.”

Hating defeatism, Cass scoffed. “Hold on, when did Ari Graves become such a quitter?”

Ari shook her off as her shoulders dropped. “Cassie, seriously. How would we manage that?”

“I’ll help. Besides, Tommy will definitely be in. It’s a great idea.” Putting her hands on Ari’s biceps, Cass smirked. “If anyone can pull it off, it’s you.”

She wasn’t wrong. Ari had pulled off some incredible feats in the last couple of months. When they’d first met, Ari was on the brink of getting let go. And in the six months since, she was almost being offered a partner position.

Chewing the inside of her cheek, Ari looked back into Cass’s eyes. “Do you really think so?”

“I do.” Cass nodded, confident as always.

Ari’s throat tightened. If she was lucky, she’d hear Cass say those words again in the future.

Shaking off the distraction, Ari looked down at her watch. “If we’re going to do it, we have to start tonight.”

Cass reached her hands down and grabbed Ari’s hand, already pushing through the crowd to get out of the crowded park.

But Ari stopped in her tracks. “I’m so sorry, this is supposed to be a cute, romantic date. I don’t want to drag us into a work thing.”

Looking back at Ari, Cass’s lips curled into a smile as she squeezed Ari’s cold hand. “You’re not dragging me. We started this whole relationship to get you ahead in your career. I’m in.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.” Cass tightened her grip on Ari’s hand and pulled her toward the street.

The crowd parted for them as they moved; New Yorkers knew better than to get in the way of busy women.

By the time we reached the subway station, Ari could hardly believe what she was doing. They’d need a venue, decorators, caterers, photographers on short notice… and during the busiest party season of the year.

It was going to be nearly impossible.

But with Cass by her side, Ari just might be able to pull the plan off. The only way to find out was to jump in head first.