Page 66 of Finding Jess

Sam wrapped one arm around her as Tiana struck different poses before ending with one kissing her cheek.

She chuckled as Tiana pulled her head down, laughing into her neck.

Then finally, Tiana released her to retrieve her phone from Jess.

“So cute,” she squealed, swiping through them.

They made their way back down the beach as Tiana continued through the photos.

“I’m surprised you jumped from up there,” Scarlett said to Jess. “I didn’t even think you’d make it from the smaller one.”

Jess grunted. “Me either. Can’t let this one show me up, though,” she muttered, nodding her head at Sam.

Tiana snorted a laugh, glancing up from her phone. “You’ll drive yourself crazy trying to follow that. Trust me, she can’t help it. Danger attracts her like a moth to a flame.”

Sam shot her a look, her brows crinkling together. “No, it doesn’t.”

Tiana gave her a pointed look, then rolled her eyes. “Yes, it does. You’ve always been like this.”

Sam frowned, not ready to give up the argument.

But Tiana waved her off. “It’s fine. I’m not saying it’s your fault. Think about the other kids in the foster home with us whose parents were addicts,” she continued nonchalantly. And the mention made something tighten in Sam’s chest. “You guysall did it—or—” she paused, thinking. “At least some version of it.”

Sam looked away, an icy wall building up within her by the second. “That’s not true.”

Tiana seemed to grow serious then, as if she’d been forcing herself to act like she didn’t care. And now, she was letting that facade finally drop.

She gave her a challenging, almost angry look that Sam hadn’t seen in years. “Right,” she muttered. “So then, why do you still go for midnight rides on your bike?”

Then her eyes flicked down the scar across her neck and chest. They lingered there for a moment before meeting her eyes again. And then, Sam knew. At least some of that carefree attitude toward the whole thing was a front for how much she cared.

Sam softened slightly, releasing a breath.

And she noticed then that while Jasmine and Scarlett had continued walking up the beach, Jess had lingered there with them, hearing every word.

Sam’s eyes flicked to her, and Jess seemed to be watching her with a weary, but curious, look. As if she was turning over some puzzle in her mind.

The sound of an approaching boat caught her attention, and she looked up to see the guide approaching.

“You guys ready to go back?” Scarlett called out to them. “I’m hungry.”

Sam cleared her throat. “Yeah. Me too.”

Jess continued walking, leaving her and Tiana standing there in silence.

“Sorry,” Tiana muttered, although she held a hard look that offered no real apology. “I didn’t mean to say all that.”

Sam shook her head slightly. “It’s fine,” she muttered, draping her arm over Tiana’s shoulders as they walked back to the rest of the group.

Chapter fifteen

The restaurant was winding down, the noise level dropping to a dull murmur as the last of the dinner crowd paid their checks. Scarlett and Jasmine had just left, excusing themselves after the long day, but Sam had stayed with Jess and Tiana while they finished the last of their meals.

After a moment, Sam noticed Tiana’s gaze kept drifting toward the bar, where a handsome woman was laughing with a friend.

Tiana caught Sam’s eye with a sly grin. “I’m gonna go say hi,” she declared, already on her feet and sauntering toward the bar.

“That doesn’t bother you?” Jess asked, nodding her head toward where Tiana now stood looking at the attractive woman beside her with a coy smile.

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