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Ari grabbed her wrist and pulled it out, bringing Cass’s wet finger to her own mouth. She looked into Cass’s eyes as she sucked her own pleasure off of Cass’s finger.

“You’re so cruel,” Cass groaned as she let her head fall backwards.

“More later?” Ari asked as she smiled and kissed Cass, the taste of Ari’s center passing from her mouth to Cass’s.

Before Cass could say anything else, Ari flung the door open and walked out to the party.

As the party got on, Ari and Cass got swept into a few different conversations. At some point, while Ari was deeply engaged in a conversation about the Writer’s Guild’s most recent strike, Cass offered to grab her a drink and headed toward the kitchen where a smattering of mediocre liquor rested.

She knew Ari would probably prefer a wine but this was not that kind of party.

Once she reached the kitchen, Leila was making herself a drink in the corner.

Cass smiled at her as she saddled up next to her, “So, are you excited?”

Leila lit up at the thought, “Oh my god, totally. I’ve just never had someone care for me like Elle has.”

“I’m glad,” Cass said, trying to hide her disappointment that Ellewascapable of caring for at least someone.

“So, when did you start seeing each other?” Cass asked, pouring too much tequila in a cup for Ari.

Leila turned her full attention to Cass, excited to dish on all the details of their relationship, “So, we started dating seven months ago. And it all happened so fast, we just never felt so strongly about one another. I moved in about a month and a half later, which was so exciting.”

Cass nodded along, trying to ignore the fact that Leila’s timeline would’ve meant Elle was seeing Leila long before they had officially broken up.

“And the rest is history, she proposed, I cried, and now we’re getting married!” Leila exclaimed.

A part of Cass didn’t even want to say what she knew, knowing it would shatter this excited woman’s entire world.

But, she knew she had to say at least something.

“Oh, that’s so interesting. Me and Elle must have broken up… six months ago,” Cass said, looking at Leila, who poured more alcohol into her cup.

Leila nodded, “Yeah, I mean I guess my dates could be wrong. It’s such a whirlwind.”

As Cass thought back to the nights she had relapsed – so to speak – on her breakup, she started to recognize which items Leila must have moved in.

Leila was quiet, waiting for Cass to leave.

“So, were you guys exclusive from the start?”

Leila shrugged, “You know Elle, hates labels.”

Cass nodded, “Yeah for sure. I think I saw her last a couple of months back.”

Leila nodded, downing what was in her cup, “Yeah I love that she can be so close to her exes.”

Normally, Cass would have agreed but not if that “ex” still thought you were dating.

Cass smiled and added, “Well, listen. If you ever need anything, please feel free to reach out. And congratulations.”

Leila plastered on a smile and hugged her, “Thanks so much!”

Once Cass had turned to leave and melded back into the crowd, she looked back at Leila, who was in some ways just as naive as Cass had been back when she first met Elle.

Leila’s smile had faded and she stood staring down into her cup which she swirled vigorously in her hand.

Cass tried to tell herself that she had done the best she could and if Leila needed any more details, she knew where to look as she approached Ari who was just wrapping up her pro-Union rant.