Page 113 of Finding Jess

“There’s a kind of love,” Jess said softly, her voice lowering, “that endures everything. Distance, time, doubt. It juststaysthrough it all.”

Jess’ gaze drifted over the crowd, and for a brief second, their eyes met. Sam’s heart lurched, and in that instant, it felt like Jess was speaking directly to her.

“That’s the love Scarlett and Terrence have. They’re proof that when two people are meant to be together, nothing can come between them.”

A dull ache entered Sam’s chest. She was talking about Scarlett. But there was something else in her tone. She spoke about the one thing neither of them had ever seemed to be willing to do at the same time. When one of them was ready, the other wasn’t.

Every word Jess spoke felt like a reminder—of what they’d never had the courage to say, of the moments they’d both let slip away.

“There’s a statistic that says the one person you choose to spend your life with will determine up to eighty percent of the happiness you feel in your lifetime.” She tilted her head, smiling back at Scarlett and Terrence. “And if that’s true, then I think you both are about to live extraordinarily happy lives.” Shereached down, taking the champagne glass from the table and holding it in the air. “Here’s to you. May we all be lucky enough to hold on to our one person in this life.”

***

The reception was winding down, and with it, the dance floor had thinned, leaving only a few couples swaying to the soft, lilting melody that poured from the speakers.

Sam stood at the edge of the floor, watching Jess laugh at something an older relative had said. Then she excused herself, making her way across the room toward her.

Sam watched every movement. She watched Jess carry the same effortless grace she always did, but this time, it seemed amplified.

Like the world was giving her one final look at what she was about to lose.

Jess’ gaze met hers, and she gave her a warm smile as she held one hand out toward her. Sam hesitated for only a second before taking it.

She led her onto the dance floor, slipping her arms up around Sam’s neck as the music shifted to a slower song. Sam’s hands found Jess’s waist, settling lightly as they began to sway.

For a while, they didn’t speak. But Sam could feel it building inside her, that gnawing truth she’d been carrying all day. Like the moment she let her guard down, it would come spilling out, changing everything. And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud, not yet. Not with Jess looking at her like that, with warmth and tenderness so palpable it felt like a physical weight pressing against her.

“You know,” Jess said softly, “I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this lucky. Being here, seeing Scarlett so happy, and—” Her fingersgrazed lightly along the back of Sam’s neck. “Having you here with me.”

Sam’s throat tightened. She managed a faint smile, but it felt fragile, like it might shatter under the weight of Jess’ words. Her grip on Jess’s waist faltered slightly, and she forced herself to steady it.

Jess leaned closer, her forehead brushing lightly against Sam’s. “Everything feels better when I know you’re there.”

Sam’s chest felt like it was caving in. The lump in her throat grew unbearable, and she fought to keep her expression neutral. It was both everything she wanted to hear, and everything she didn’t.

The music faded into a quiet instrumental bridge, and Sam swallowed hard. “I need to talk to you about something.”

Jess’ brow furrowed slightly, but her smile didn’t fade. “Yeah?”

Before Sam could say another word, a vibration buzzed against her hip.

Then another. And another.

She hesitated, releasing one hand to glance at her phone. Caleb’s name flashed on the screen, followed by a string of frantic texts.

Her heart sank as she glanced back at Jess, whose expression had shifted to one of concern. “I’m sorry,” Sam said, stepping back reluctantly. “I just—I need one minute to handle this. Then I’ll be right back. I promise.”

Jess gave her a smile that was so understanding it almost pained her to see. “It’s okay. I want to check on Scarlett, anyway. Make sure she doesn’t need anything.”

Sam nodded, guilt clawing at her chest as she slipped away toward the quiet edge of the room. Jess gave her one last glance over her shoulder before making her way through the crowd of people.

Sam took one deep breath, then forced herself to turn away and walk back out to the entry area.

A few people lingered, laughing as they said their goodbyes and flowed out through the front doors into the darkened night.

Sam pulled her phone out, scrolling through the string of texts from Caleb. She began typing out a quick message when the main door creaked open once again.

She glanced up, expecting to see more wedding guests filtering in and out.

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