Page 17 of Finding Jess

“Of course,” Jess said, as if there wasn’t any other possible answer. “I’ll always help you.”

Maybe it was the wording she’d chosen, or the way Jess looked at her in that moment, but something familiar snapped back into place between them. Some feeling of ease and care and—friendship. Something she didn’t realize how much she’d missed until then.

“Thank you,” Sam whispered.

Before she could say anything else, the office door behind them swung open.

“Hey boss,” Tiana’s voice floated in.

Jess turned around as Sam looked up to see Tiana striding in.

She leaned back in the chair, casting a quick glance at the time. “It’s your first day, and you’re late.”

Tiana huffed, brushing her long, dark braids back over her shoulder. “I thought tech companies were supposed to be chill and not care about stuff like that,” she said, placing a coffee on the desk in front of her.

Sam picked up the cup, taking a small sip as she mumbled, “Don’t let Caleb hear that.”

Tiana rolled her eyes, pushing Sam’s hand off the arm of her chair before sitting on the edge, letting her back rest against Sam’s shoulder. “Caleb needs to relax.”

Sam took another sip of the coffee, catching the way Jess’ eyes flicked curiously between them.

“I’m glad you’re selling the company,” Tiana continued as she grabbed the cup from Sam’s hand and took a long drink. “You were more fun before you were stressed all the time about some letters on a computer screen.”

Sam chuckled, shaking her head. “Remind me to not let you into any client meetings. Not sure they’d be happy to hear they’re paying as much as they are just for some letters on a screen.”

Tiana set the cup down on the table before finally turning to Jess.

Sam cleared her throat, nodding between them. “Jess, this is Tiana. She’s an old friend.”

Jess gave her a polite smile, holding a hand out.

“Tiana,” Sam continued, “Jess is—” She paused, searching for the right words. “Also an old friend.”

By the look that passed over Jess’ face, she could tell those probably weren’t it.

Tiana reached out, shaking her hand with a dazzling smile before shooting Sam a teasing glare. “Another gorgeous girl in your life. Should I be jealous?”

Jess’ eyes flared in surprise, but Sam couldn’t help the laughter that escaped her lips. Leave it to Tiana to break the tension by causing more of it.

“We both know you’ll be jealous regardless,” Sam mumbled with a smirk.

Tiana shrugged as she picked up the coffee once more. “So, what am I interrupting? You guys looked way too serious.”

Sam exhaled softly, leaning back in the chair. “Just catching up.”

Jess cleared her throat. “I should actually probably get going.” She stood from the chair, giving each of them a tight smile. “I have to get back to work.”

Sam nodded, hating that she felt slightly disappointed.

“But,” Jess continued as she took a step toward the doorway, “I guess I’ll see you Friday?”

Sam cocked her head. “Friday?”

“Yeah,” Jess replied, running a hand through her hair. “You said you’re gonna be at the conference, right?”

“Oh,” Sam muttered. “Right. Yeah. I’ll be there.”

Jess gave her a small smile as she nodded. Then she looked at Tiana. “It was great to meet you.”

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