Page 106 of Finding Jess

Sam snorted a laugh, peering across the table at the nearly perfect vase Scarlett and Terrence had assembled. “Well, maybe if you’d given us some more direction, it would’ve come out better.”

Scarlett grinned, adjusting the already perfectly tied bow they’d put on theirs. “That would defeat the whole purpose. I want it to be whatever you guys want to make. That’s what makes it special.”

Jess hummed, her brows furrowing as she tried and failed to cut an even edge around the next picture she’d chosen. “Well then, you can’t blame us for our decorating skills,” she murmured. “Or—lackof skills.”

“She just picked something she knew she’d be better than us at,” Sam said, throwing a challenging smirk across the table. “She’s trying to make up for all those nights she lost to us at beer pong in this house.”

Jess laughed, leaning her head over to rest on Sam’s shoulder for a moment as Scarlett glared across the table at them.

“Whatever,” Scarlet muttered. “You guys are both just like—freakishly good at sports.”

Jess chuckled, placing the photo carefully inside the vase with the others. “Sam’s freakishly good at a lot of things.”

The corner of Scarlett’s lips quirked upward, her head cocking to the side. “Oh, yeah?”

Jess must’ve caught the tone in her voice, because her hands froze where they were on the vase. “I mean—with—” she stuttered. Then she stopped, shaking her head as she rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

Sam chuckled as she picked up her soda can and tilted it back, finishing the last few drops. “I’m gonna get another drink,” she said, pushing her chair back in the grass. “You guys want anything?”

“I’m good,” Jess answered. “Thanks, though.”

Terrence shook his head, smiling up at her. “Nothing for me.”

“I’m ready for another,” Scarlett said, standing from her chair.

“I can grab you one—” Sam started, but Scarlett instantly waved her off.

“I’ll go with you,” she said, walking around the table. “I don’t know what I want.”

Sam nodded, turning to follow her into the back of the house.They went through the sliding glass door, crossing the living room where a few people sat, talking on the couch.

Sam approached the island, looking over the different beers that had been laid out.

“Wanna do a shot like old times?” Scarlett asked with a mischievous smirk.

Sam laughed, instantly remembering the first time she’d been in that kitchen. “I think I’ll save that for the wedding tomorrow.”

Scarlett hummed, grabbing two beers instead. “You sound like Terrence.”

She held one beer out to her, but when Sam reached for it, she pulled it back slightly out of reach.

Sam arched a brow, taking in the still mischievous look in her eyes. “What?” she asked slowly.

“You know what,” Scarlett answered with a small smirk.

Sam cocked her head, waiting for an explanation.

“You and Jess,” she said, her voice dropping slightly.

Sam looked away, a soft laugh bubbling out. “She told you?”

“She didn’t have to,” Scarlett replied, handing her the beer. “I know her—and I knowyou.”

Sam hummed, cracking the cap off against the edge of the countertop.

“When?”

Sam took a sip of the beer. “When what?”

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