Page 64 of Finding Jess

“She’s scared of heights,” Scarlett called back over her shoulder as she followed Jasmine to the base of the cliff.

“No, I’m not,” Jess shot back, although her face told a different story. Still, she stood, joining in beside Sam.

“You sure?” Sam asked with a chuckle as they approached the area where the guide had told them would be the easiest to climb. “You look scared.”

“I’m not scared,” Jess muttered, as if working to convince herself.

They all climbed up the rock wall to the first ledge, where the guide had shown them to go.

“Who wants to go—”

Jasmine suddenly leapt off, arms swinging wildly in the air as a high-pitched yelp escaped her throat.

Scarlett burst into laughter, along with Tiana, who stood on the beach off to the side, phone held high in the air, pointed at them.

Sam laughed, leaning over the edge to peer down at where she’d landed in the water. “I guess the adrenaline of the jet skis really got her going.”

“I’m next,” Scarlett said with a wide grin. Then she called down to Tiana, “Make sure you get this!”

Tiana gave her a thumbs up. Then Scarlett took a few steps back before running and launching herself off the edge. She screamed, dropping into the water with a splash.

Sam leaned over the edge again, checking the foamy white water Scarlett had disappeared into. Then a moment later, her head popped up, and she instantly laughed, swimming off to the side where the sand met the water.

Sam turned back, looking up to the next highest rock ledge. It was probably only a few feet higher, and she could spot an easy way to climb up.

“You’re up,” Sam said to Jess as she began climbing up the wall to the next jumping point.

“Where are you going?” Jess asked, standing with her back flat against the wall, at the point farthest from the edge.

Sam grunted, hoisting herself up onto it. “I’m jumping from here.”

“What—Sam,” Jess snapped, her tone sharp with a deadly seriousness that only made Sam’s grin widen.

She chuckled, stepping up onto the last part of the rock and planting herself on the edge of the cliff. The wind whipped at her damp hair as she glanced over her shoulder.

“Sam,” Jess commanded again, her voice edged with frustration. “Come back down here.”

Sam turned back toward the drop, hands resting casually on her hips. “You know, it’s fine if you’re too scared to jump,” she called over the edge with a teasing smile. “You can climb back down.”

Jess glared up at her, but Sam only laughed, thoroughly entertained.

Then a moment later, Jess began climbing up toward her.

Her brow lifted as she watched her. “What are you doing?” Sam asked, cocking her head as Jess closed the distance, each hand and foot finding the rocks with ease.

Jess breathed heavily as she pulled herself up each part of the rock wall. And when she neared the top, Sam put a hand out, helping her up the last few feet.

“If you’re gonna be stubborn and do it,” Jess started, her breathing slightly labored, “then I am, too.”

Sam watched her, unable to stop herself as she held a protective arm out between Jess and the nearby edge.“Okay, fine. I’ll go back down with you.”

Jess glared at her again, but this time, it looked more like a challenge. “No.”

Sam watched her, the amusement falling from her eyes as a slight anxiety entered her chest at how high up Jess was from the ground.

She frowned, peering over the edge into the water once more, checking for the clear, rockless area below.

“What? You only care how safe it is once I’m up here with you?” Jess asked.

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