Page 48 of Finding Jess

Jess took a sip of her coffee as her eyes trailed over the papers splayed across the table before them.

“So,” she started, setting the cup down. “These give an overview of some different strategies we could use, if you wanted to.”

Sam glanced down at the papers, each word blurring together. She nodded slowly, feeling Jess’ lingering gaze.

“Or,” Jess said softly, leaning back in her chair, “we don’t have to go over these right now. We could talk about something else first.”

Sam looked up at her, head cocking to the side in question.

Jess shot her a pointed look, tapping her finger lightly against the arm of the chair.

“I’m sorry,” Sam mumbled, shaking her head. She ran both hands over the front of her face, rubbing her palms roughly against her eyes. “I’m just—distracted—I guess.”

“With?” Jess prodded gently.

Sam sighed, falling back into the chair. “Everything.”

Jess nodded slowly. “The clients? Or the buyout?”

“Both,” Sam breathed, finally feeling a small ounce of relief in the dam that had built up within her over the last few weeks. “The buyout mainly.”

She could feel Jess’ eyes on her, watching—deciphering. “Has it been hard working with Liz?” she asked quietly.

“No,” Sam said immediately, shaking her head. And it was true. Although it was weird being around Liz again, especially while she was dating Jess, it wasn’t bad. Or at least, not entirely bad. “It’s fine. She’s—fine.”

Jess snorted a dry laugh. “That doesn’t sound super convincing.”

Sam smirked. “She’s—competitive.” She glanced up at Jess. “But I guess you already know that.”

Jess hummed, looking away. “Seems like she’s more competitive with you than anyone else.”

It was true. It had always been like that, ever since they were kids. Something about it did feel different now, though. Some undertone of seriousness, or added stakes, that had never been there before.

She didn’t want to think about that, though. She didn’t want to think about work, or Liz, or any of it.

Sam forced it all away, letting every thought fall away until all that remained was the present moment, and what was right in front of her.

“So,” she started, an amused smile tugging on her lips, “how’d things go the other day with the dresses? Did you needTess’help?”

Jess smirked, her eyes holding challenging amusement. But she stayed silent.

Sam’s smile only grew beneath the weight of Jess’ gaze. “What?” she asked with a laugh.

“You always do that when something’s bothering you.”

The edges of Sam’s smile faltered. “Do what?”

“Put all your focus on something.” Jess ran a hand through her hair, brushing the long blonde locks over her shoulder.

“What am I focused on now?” Sam asked quietly, the rest of the smile falling from her lips.

Jess looked at her for a long moment before finally glancing away, her throat bobbing as she swallowed. “Me.”

The word hung in the air.

Sam looked down at the table, letting a weighted silence fall between them.

After a long moment, Jess finally spoke again.

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