The Christmas Plan (Sapphics in the City #4)

10. Cass

10

CASS

It wasn’t until the morning of the party that Ari and Cass finally saw each other again. When Cass had received Ari’s frantic text, she was staying over with Gabby in Queens.

They had talked on the phone briefly but Cass had been left with the task: figure out how to get in touch with Hazel Ford.

But now, Cass sat in Ari’s apartment and poured over the guest list while she waited for her girlfriend to arrive home. It was an impressive list, star-studded from top to bottom. A part of Cass was nervous, even though she’d worked with plenty of celebrities when she was a sound mixer.

Before she could get too in her head, she heard the jingling of Ari’s keys in the door.

As soon as the door swung open, Ari laughed. “How did neither of us know you knew the Hazel Ford?”

Shrugging, Cass stood from the bar stool she had been sitting in. “I have no idea. I just thought it was a common name. I had no idea she was such a star now.”

“Did she confirm?” Ari was eager, tapping her fingers along the counter as she walked closer. Once she was standing next to Cass, she placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “It’s good to see you, I missed you last night.”

Cass wiggled her eyebrows. “Good.” Raising her finger, Cass continued, “She’s supposed to call me back any second now.”

Ari pumped her fist. “God, that’s amazing. If I can get her to the party, we’re golden.”

As if she could hear them talking about her, Hazel Ford’s name appeared on Cass’s lock screen. Looking at Ari, Cass grew stern. “Be chill, she’s my old college buddy. I’m going to work it.”

With a nod, Ari planted her palms on the cold countertop.

Cass swiped on the call. “Hey, girl. I can’t believe it’s been so long!”

“Hi! I really missed you! How have you been?” Hazel’s familiar voice rang through the line, sending a warmth to Cass’s chest.

The two of them had been a part of a larger group in college, spending countless nights flashing fake IDs to knowing bartenders. But work, grad school, and life had made it increasingly difficult for them to stay in touch. Especially once Hazel moved out West.

Ignoring Ari’s eager smile, Cass nodded. “I’m honestly doing so well. I worked in sound for a bit but really missed music, so I quit and I’m giving that a shot.”

“That’s so amazing. Honestly, I think I need some of that energy myself.” Hazel sighed, the sound of a New York hotel buzzing in the background.

“Really?” Cass lifted her eyebrows.

Hazel continued, “Yeah, honestly this party you mentioned sounded like exactly what I was looking for. I just don’t feel like my reps in L.A. get me. I want something grittier and I felt that back in college, ya know?”

Clenching her fists as she tried to contain her excitement, Cass bit her lip. “I really do. Well look, I don't want to pretend like I don’t have a motive. My girlfriend is Ari Graves, she’s really high up at SDO Management and is known for revamping careers. She might be a great fit.”

There was a heavy silence, the sounds of an elevator ding taking up the phone waves.

“Okay, I’ll stop by. But no promises.” Hazel giggled. “And you have to promise to have a drink with me while I’m there.”

“Done and done, cutie. See you tonight, I’ll text the details.”

After they said their goodbyes, Cass hung up the phone. She held up her finger for silence until she was certain the call had ended. But once it was, she leaped into the air with excitement.

“I can’t believe it!” Ari squealed. “My baby did it!”

Wrapping her arms around Ari, Cass laughed.

Ari pulled away just long enough to press her lips into Cass’s. “You are incredible.”

Playing it cool, Cass shrugged. “No biggie, just got an A-lister to your work thing.”

“I think it’s a huge deal.” Ari bit her lip as she smiled. “Now we just have to make sure we make it there ourselves.”

They forced themselves apart, each of them walking into Ari’s bedroom where two garment bags hung from the closet door. The glam for a party like this was no joke, it was going to take a few hours and they had to be early.

But Cass couldn’t help but smirk. With her help, Ari had pulled off quite the feat and this was the final countdown. In just a few hours, they would know whether Ari had landed Hazel Ford as a client.