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“What are you thinking?” Gabby asked.

Cass sighed, “I don’t know if I’m ready to trust someone again. I can’t even break away from Elle entirely and I’m somehow supposed to believe that Ari isn’t lying to me or breaking my trust?”

Gabby nodded, “You’ve been through a lot. It would be okay if you needed more time.”

Cass ran her hand through her short, stubbly hair, the feeling of fuzz bringing a grounding sensation to her hand.

“But, I really like her,” Cass said.

Gabby nodded, “If I was Elle, I’d say,” she turned to a mocking, bro-ish voice, “Babe, if it’s meant to be, babe, it’ll be.”

Cass laughed, Gabby always knew when to crack a joke.

But, maybe she was right. If Cass needed more time, maybe Ari did too. Maybe they could take a step back and still find their way back to each other.

However, Cass needed to know what really happened that night in order to even consider something with Ari in the future.

19

ARI

The weekend had wornher out far more than she expected. By the time her mid-week meeting with the partners rolled around, Ari hadn’t had time to see any of the artists Jess had suggested. She had barely even squeezed in the report in her commute to the office.

As she got into the office, she stopped by Jess’s desk.

“Jess, thanks for the report. It’s very helpful,” she said.

Nodding, Jess smiled, “I’m glad. Did you get a chance to see any of them?”

Ari hesitated, “I looked around at their digital presence.”

“Would you like me to add their events to your calendar?” Jess asked.

Ari nodded, “Please, I’ll see what I can get to this week. Which ones do you think best fit with the agency?”

Jess shrugged, “I was hoping you could tell me that.”

“Right,” Ari said, realizing that Jess was still learning what kind of client list Ari evenwantedto build. After all, most of hers had been inherited and she still had a chance to choose what her new clients looked like.

She headed into her office as she said, “Thank you.”

She had about fifteen minutes to actually look into what each client's work was like, and hopefully it would be enough to bring something to the partners.

But, a cursory look at their Insta’s and websites, wouldn’t do the trick. Besides, what did Ari even want her list to be? Most of her clients now were up-and-coming artists that John couldn’t handle with his already established clients.

And if Ari kept taking on up-and-comers, she would end up with far too much work for just her and Jess to handle. Besides, the path forward for that talent was always pretty clear. From indie films, to blockbuster, to an oscar winner, and then to whatever paid the highest while maintaining their reputation.

As she tried to think, she thought Cass. Someone with immense talent, but who had taken gigs to make money and was never able to move up in her career.

Ari had texted her a few hours ago and hadn’t gotten a response.

Jess turned and waved for Ari to get headed to the conference room. She closed her laptop and walked down the hall toward the conference room.

All of the junior agents were piling inside, Tommy included. Ari took her seat a few places from Tommy and tried to scan more of the report from Jess. She had done a good job creating a diverse portfolio of options. Poets, actors, musicians, established authors looking for a new path. But, Ari wanted to bring the partners something special.

Just as she settled on her front-runner, an actor who had recently finished a tour as a Marine and was beginning to make waves Off-Broadway, Tara, Sydney, and Mark made their way inside.

“Morning, everyone,” Mark started as they took their seats.