Page 16 of Finding Jess

“I’m happy for you,” Jess continued. “It’s impressive. Everything you’ve done and accomplished.”

A small, shy smile crept up against the edges of Sam’s lips as all the conversations with Caleb came flooding back. Every issue that seemed to arise daily. The employees quitting. The new workload. The software problems.

It was an odd feeling, being congratulated while everything constantly felt on the brink of falling apart.

“Thanks,” she replied. But even she could hear the way it fell flat.

Jess cocked her head slightly. “You don’t think so?”

“No—I mean—yeah,” Sam continued, rubbing a hand over the back of her neck. “It is. It’s just—different, I guess.”

Jess continued watching her, waiting.

“We’re um—“ Sam paused, clearing her throat. “It looks like we’re gonna be acquired by a larger company.”

Jess blinked, her lips parting in surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Sam drawled. “I mean, it’s not official yet. We’re still in the early stages,” she said, shaking her head. “But that’s why I’ve been at Liz’s firm the last few days. It’s kind of a trial run to see how things go before they make an official offer.”

“Wow,” Jess said, a wide smile breaking out across her face. “Sam, that’s amazing!”

Sam shot her a smile, although she could feel the hint of apprehension twist with her lips. She nodded, crossing her arms.

“Thanks,” Sam continued. “It’s just—a lot. It’s a big change and some people here aren’t happy about it. We’ve lost some people, so it’s been harder lately.”

Jess nodded slowly, her eyes flicking down as they trailed over her body. “I could tell,” she said softly. “You’re crossing your arms the way you do after you’ve been at your desk for too long the night before.”

Sam blinked, a flicker of surprise passing through her. Then she quickly uncrossed her arms.

Even after four years of no contact, Jess was probably the only person who could really see those things in her. Things that she could easily hide from everyone else.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt that same sense of vulnerability. As if every problem in her life was out on display, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

Sam cleared her throat, shaking that uncomfortable feeling away as she pulled her lips into a wide grin.

“So what’s been going on with you?” she asked, her brain instantly latching onto Jess instead, as it forced out every other thought.

Jess looked hesitant for a moment, as if she didn’t want to let that conversation end. But luckily, she did.

Jess let out a breath, tilting her head back in thought. “Moving here was the biggest thing. I just moved into a new apartment, though, that I love,” she said with a pleased smile. “And obviously, getting the new job when I moved here was a big change.”

“What are you doing for work now?”Although Liz had already mentioned something about it, she still wanted to hear it all straight from Jess.

“PR,” she answered. “I’m at a big agency, so we have a lot of clients here in the city.” She paused, clearing her throat. “Liz’s company is one of them.”

Sam tilted her head, her smile turning curious. “I thought you hated that PR internship you had in New York.”

Jess chuckled, her nose wrinkling. “I hated myboss. I ended up liking the job, though, once he left.”

Sam nodded. “Well, if you want any extra work, let me know. Our PR lead quit a few weeks ago, and I’m pretty sure Caleb is gonna lose it if we don’t find someone new soon.”

Jess let out a dry snort. “Caleb isalwaysabout to lose it over something.”

Sam laughed, a full genuine smile finally returning to her face. And that seemed to put Jess at ease, too.

“But yeah,” Jess said, leaning back in the chair. “Just tell me what you need.”

Sam’s eyes flicked up to hers. “Really?”

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