Page 128 of Finding Jess

“Right,” Tiana muttered, standing to grab the last of her things from the kitchen. “Because there’s no other way in the world for me to get to the airport.”

Sam frowned, hands fidgeting in her lap. Maybe Tiana was right, and Jess really would want to see her.

Or maybe seeing her was the absolute last thing she would want. In which case, showing up would only make things worse.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled.

Tiana rolled her eyes, shaking her head before trudging back to where Sam waited on the couch.

“I’m ordering an Uber,” Tiana said, tapping something on her phone.

Sam opened her mouth to argue, but Tiana’s firm look cut her off.

“Sam,” she said in a low, serious voice. “I’m only going to say this one more time. Do not fuck this up again. Go get your girl.”

***

Sam barely noticed the street as she walked, her feet moving almost on their own, her mind racing through everything she wanted to say to Jess. When she finally reached the familiar apartment building, her nerves prickled to life.

She probably should’ve called or texted first to actually make sure she was there. But she’d been more concerned with what she was going to say once she got there.

Then an old memory sprang into her mind.

The corners of her mouth turned up in a smirk as she pulled her phone out of her pocket and easily found Jess’ contact.

She clicked the call button and pressed it to her ear, listening as it rang.

And not even halfway through the second ring, it stopped.

“Hi,” Jess answered, her voice lacking all of its usual warmth.

“Hey,” Sam breathed, scratching a hand over the back of her neck.

Jess was quiet for a moment before she asked, “Everything okay?”

Sam smiled to herself as that long ago memory played in her mind. “Yeah.” She paused, clearing her throat as she peered back up at the building. “Are you home?”

“Yeah,” Jess drawled, curiosity clear in her voice. She didn’t sound happy to hear from her, but she also didn’t sound as clipped as she had the week before. So at least that was a win.

“Why?” Jess asked.

The corner of Sam’s mouth twitched upward as she answered, “I’m outside.” Seconds of silence ticked by, and Sam had to fight to keep from holding her breath. Then finally, when it seemed like Jess might not respond at all, she added, “Can we talk?”

A soft exhale came through the phone. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Jess muttered.

Her stomach suddenly felt heavy at the sound of resignation in her voice. She knew it. Showing up was a terrible plan.

But even as she realized that, even as her brain told her to turn around and walk away, she couldn’t. She had to at least know that she really tried.

“I understand,” Sam said quietly. “And if you want me to leave, I will.” She paused, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. “But please, just give me one minute.”

The phone felt quiet once more, and Sam waited, her heart pounding in her chest with every second.

Then suddenly, the phone beeped as the call ended. Sam pulled it away from her ear, glancing down at the black screen as every last bit of hope she’d held onto dried up.

She released a breath, shutting her eyes, letting that rejection seep into her bones instead of immediately pushing it away. She had to. No matter how painful it was, she couldn’t run from it.

She opened her eyes again, giving herself a few more seconds to recover. Then, right as she began to turn away, the door to Jess’ apartment opened.

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