The Christmas Plan (Sapphics in the City #4)

18. Cass

“Thanks for coming!” Cass waved to Taylor and Mac as they made their way downstairs, arm-in-arm.

From behind her, a hand landed on Cass’s shoulder. When she turned around, Tommy was standing there and watching a far table. “Can you tell Ari I said goodnight? I’ve gotta go hunt down some information on a mysterious Mistress Lavender.”

Cass’s forehead wrinkled at the strange words leaving Tommy’s mouth. But over the last year, Cass had learned one thing: Tommy’s going to be Tommy. So instead of trying to understand, Cass nodded. “You got it. Get home safe, Tom.”

Waving goodbye, Tommy disappeared to the elevator.

By now, the party was nearly empty. Near the back room entrance, Ari was saying goodnight to the catering staff and the decorator.

It had been a magical night, something Cass could have only dreamed of.

Watching Ari do her thing had been a complete pleasure.

From across the party, Ari spotted her girlfriend and smiled. Even from this distance, Cass could tell all Ari was thinking about was hopping into bed together and snuggling up with a cup of hot cocoa.

As she strode across the room, Cass couldn’t stop thinking about something else.

Damn, she looks good in that suit.

But before her mind could get carried away, Ari was standing in front of her. “You about ready to go home?”

“Yeah, but there’s one more thing I want to do.” Cass smiled and grabbed Ari’s hand, heading toward the windows with a view south.

As they took their place in front of the skyline, Cass’s eyes followed Manhattan’s avenues down toward the southern tip of the island. Speckled along the streets were shining Christmas displays, adding some winter magic to the concrete jungle.

Ari stood behind Cass, wrapping her arms around her stomach and resting her chin on Cassie’s shoulder. “It’s gorgeous.”

They stood like that for a moment, watching the chunky snowflakes drifting down toward the ground.

“Thank you for all of your help, Cassie,” Ari whispered.

Giggling, Cass shook her head. “I can’t believe you pulled it off. You somehow pulled off a star-studded holiday party in less than two weeks.”

Ari shrugged. “I couldn’t have done it without you. You really came through for me.”

“Anything for you, darling.” Cass turned her head and planted a kiss on Ari’s lips. “Same time next year?”

With a giggle, Ari nodded and kissed her back.

Just as their kisses started to grow heated, bright overhead lights flicked on.

Blinking the bright lights away, Ari shook her head. “Want to get out of here?”

“Only if we’re going home together.” Cass teased.

Placing her hand on Cass’s waist, Ari guided her to the elevator bank. They waved goodbye to the cleanup staff who were hard at work with the venue now empty. Ari would have to come back the next day to ensure the place was spotless.

But for tonight, it was time to leave the winter wonderland.

As the elevator doors swung open, Ari held them for Cass to step through. They stood together at the center, watching as the doors started to swing shut.

Ari leaned down and whispered. “Merry Christmas, Cassie.”

Looking into her eyes, Cass smiled. “Merry Christmas, Ari.”

Thank you for reading The Christmas Plan! If you enjoyed this book, you can dive into Ari and Cass’s love story in Back-Up Plan, a fake-dating sapphic romance.