Page 62 of Finding Jess

“Well, that didn’t take long,” Scarlett called out as she circled back around them. “You like it?”

Instead of answering, Jasmine shot them forward once again, laughter bubbling from her throat. Within moments, they were all speeding ahead, weaving in and out around each other.

And the moment Sam saw Scarlett making sharp turns, splashing water high up into the air, she knew Jasmine would want to do the same. She braced herself as the jet ski shot ahead near where Jess had slowed to a stop.

Then, right as she’d expected, Jasmine took a hard turn, cutting too sharply.

Sam squeezed her eyes shut as she felt her body rip off the jet ski, tumbling out into the water.

The world spun in a chaotic blur of cold, rushing waves. For a split second, everything was quiet, muffled beneath the surface of the water as she clawed her way up. She broke through, immediately wiping the water from her eyes.

“Oh my gosh,” she heard Jasmine’s frantic voice from somewhere far off. “I’m—I’m so sorry—I didn’t—”

Sam let out a laugh, shoving the soaked hair back from her face. “It’s fine!” she called, grinning despite the chill biting at her skin. “It happens!”

A low hum grew louder behind her, and Sam turned just as Jess pulled up on her own jet ski, stopping beside her with a smug, amused look. “Guess you’re not as strong as you used to be.”

Sam barked out a laugh, shivering as the cold sank deeper into her bones. “I wasn’t ready,” she lied.

Jess smirked, shaking her head as she extended a hand. Sam grabbed it, pulling herself up and settling into the seat behind her.

Looking back over her shoulder, Sam spotted Jasmine slowly circling back toward them, her expression a mix of guilt and embarrassment.

“You good to ride on your own?” Sam called out.

Jasmine gave her a sheepish, apologetic look. “Yeah. Probably safer that way.”

Sam smiled, wrapping one arm loosely around Jess’ waist in front of her.

And by the slight smirk she caught on Jess’ face, she knew what she was about to do.

The jet ski lurched forward, sending her body backward as she clung with one arm to Jess. Then it immediately slowed, sending her slamming forward.

“Shit,” she muttered, her body tensing as she threw her second arm around Jess, holding her tightly.

Jess glanced back over her shoulder, a wide grin stretching across her face. “Now you know how I felt the first time I rode on your bike.”

Sam snorted a laugh. “Yeah, right,” she muttered, relaxing her arms around her waist. “I’m a much better driver than you.”

They rode for a while longer, cutting through the sparkling waves as the sun inched higher, warm against their backs. The rhythm of the jet ski and the wind against her skin made it easy to lose track of time until Sam spotted Scarlett and Jasmine heading back to shore, their figures small against the bright sand.

“Ready to go back?” Jess called over her shoulder.

“If you are.”

Jess turned the jet ski toward the beach, slowing as they neared the shallows. Once they were close enough, Sam hopped off, landing with a splash as the water lapped against her legs. They secured the jet ski on the sand, the sound of waves crashing gently filling the surrounding quiet.

They made their way across the beach, the sun drying their damp skin as they trudged through the warm, uneven sand.

“Why are you the only one that’s wet?” Tiana asked from where she laid on her back, blocking the sun with one hand.

Jess chuckled as she sat down, and Sam caught the slightly embarrassed look on Jasmine’s face.

“Slipped,” Sam said, shivering as water dripped down from the life jacket onto her bare thighs. She glanced down, realizing she’d forgotten to take it off and leave it with the jet ski.

She unzipped the front, pulling it off her shoulders and dropping it into the sand at her feet.

“Thought you were supposed to be the athletic one,” Tiana muttered.

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