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Ari’s body was tingling with excitement, she had already felt herself growing wetter as she observed Cass’s body move.

Cass laughed and licked her lips, “Then, why don’t you show me?”

Ari leaned in and asked, “That easy are you?”

She turned and went back to Tommy and Gabby, to dance the night away. She liked leaving Cass hanging, making her ask for more.

12

CASS

Cass had doneher best to go back to flirting with Kai, the charismatic, masc, non-binary person who had approached her to dance. But, Ari’s words lingered in her head.

As she danced, now with Gabby, Ari, and Tommy, she knew that her body was more closed off to Ari than it would’ve been with someone she had fucked.

Still, could either of them be trusted to know when they had crossed the linen?

She tried to shake the thought as she grooved to the beat of Pride classics. It was nearing three am. They group danced close but weren’t forced together by the flow of the crowd, as it had been dwindling since 2.

Cass had wanted an excuse to get closer to Ari, to tease her. But, if she tried it at this point, it would’ve been unnecessary and clearly a ploy.

Gabby yawned as she danced.

“Are you ready?” Cass asked her across the circle.

Gabby waved her away, “No rush!”

Cass tapped Ari and said into her ear, “We should probably go, work and all that.”

Ari nodded and looked at Tommy, who agreed with a simple nod.

They group began the journey toward the front of the bar. Tommy closed out her tab while chatting with Gabby.

Ari and Cass stood by the door, the alcohol still drawing them closer.

“Are you working tomorrow?” Ari asked.

Cass could smell Ari’s sweat and tried to find the words, but instead she just nodded.

Liar.

“Do you wanna stay at my place so you have a shorter commute?” Ari asked, trying to hide her ulterior motives.

Cass considered it. Being in Midtown meant she’d have forty more minutes of sleep in the morning… and she could just sleep on the couch. They didn’t have todoanything.

“I’ll take the couch, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Ari added.

Cass looked at Gabby, “Yeah, let me just order her a cab.”

Ari’s phone was already out and she handed it to Cass, “On me.”

“Are you sure?” Cass asked, she had the money to spare but wouldn’t stop Ari from being a gentleman.

Ari nodded and watched Cass put in her address for Gabby’s trip. Cass could feel her eyes looking down her shirt, a button down that had become more and more undone as the night progressed. Now, it was nearly down to her belly button, her navy blue bralette, completely visible as she danced.

Once Gabby approached, Cass put her arm around her and gave her a hug while saying, “I’m going to stay at Ari’s since it’s closer to work. But we ordered you a cab, is that okay?”

Gabby raised her eyebrows but tried to hide her surprise, “Totally!”