Page 33 of Finding Jess

She followed suit, taking the shot. It’d been a long time since she’d really gone out. And even longer since she’d taken a straight shot of alcohol. She’d almost forgotten the horrible taste that now scorched her throat as she forced it down.

Her cheeks clenched in revulsion as she quickly sucked on the lime wedge.

A glass clinked on the left beside her where Tiana set hers down, sliding it forward to the opposite edge of the bar.

“So,” Tiana started, wiping the back of her hand against her mouth, “how did you and Liz meet?” She leaned forward, peering past Sam to where Jess stood on her other side.

Sam tried to even out her expression.

It wasn’t that shedidn’twant to hear about Jess and Liz’s relationship. That wouldn’t be fair. Especially after Jess had todeal with Tiana’s overt flirtation just a minute before. Besides, if they were really going to make it as friends, then that would be part of it. Getting used to hearing the details of her with someone else.

And it was fine. She could do it. Although, it probably would’ve been a thousand times easier if she was dating just about anyone else.

The corners of Jess’ lips quirked up in a small smile.

“We met a while ago, when I first started working with her company.”

Tiana nodded. “Love at first sight?”

Jess tilted her head back in a snort of laughter. “Not exactly. We talked off and on when we ran into each other at work. Then one day, she asked me to go out with her and her friends. And things just went from there.”

“So you guys have been together for a while, then?” Tiana asked.

The smile fell slightly from Jess’ face as she shrugged. “It’s been sort of off and on since then.”

Her eyes flicked to Sam for just a moment before bouncing back to Tiana.

“We ended things a few times,” Jess clarified, her eyes falling back down to where she fiddled with her empty glass.

Sam hated that those words reminded her of them. The way they’d never really officially been something, but still seemed to bounce back and forth, nonetheless.

Tiana gave her a sympathetic quirk of her lips. “Well, you’re together now. And that’s what matters.”

Jess nodded once as some of the warmth seeped back into her features.

Tiana glanced between Sam and Jess, her grin widening. “One more?” she asked, eyebrows bouncing in a playful challenge.

Sam smirked, shaking her head slightly before giving in. “Why not?”

Tiana flagged down the bartender with a quick wave, and within moments, another round of tequila shots was set before them.

“Cheers,” Tiana declared, lifting her glass with a triumphant grin.

Sam tapped her shot against Tiana’s, then tossed it back. The sharp burn hit her throat immediately, and her eyes watered as she set the glass back on the counter. At least the tequila was doing its job, helping to dull the sting of the previous conversation.

“I’m gonna go check on Liz,” Jess called, her voice cutting through the music as she gestured toward the booth. Without waiting for a response, she disappeared into the crowd, leaving them alone at the bar.

Tiana turned to Sam with a grin. “Ready to go back out there?”

Sam hesitated, glancing toward the mass of people on the dance floor. Something about the energy wasn’t quite the same anymore, but she pushed the thought aside. “Yeah, let’s go.”

Tiana grabbed her hand, pulling her into the thrumming crowd. The music pounded through her chest as they wove their way back into the chaos. People swayed and spun around them, the room a blur of colored lights and motion.

The woman who’d been dancing with her before returned at some point, but Tiana subtly shoved her out of the way, taking her place instead. But even then, Sam barely noticed.

Her eyes kept floating across the room, catching glimpses of Jess every so often. Watching her smile, the way she laughed with Scarlett where they sat beside Liz in the booth.

She pulled her gaze away as she leaned in toward Tiana. “I’m gonna go sit for a sec.”

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