Page 68 of Finding Jess

A light breeze blew through, rustling the leaves of the surrounding foliage.

“Scarlett had fun today,” Jess said, running a hand through her hair.

“Yeah?”

Jess’ head bobbed as she nodded. “You know, she always has more fun when you’re there.”

Sam gave her a sidelong look. “You think?”

Jess hummed, the corner of her lips tilting upward. “Don’t act like it’s the first time you’ve heard that. Everyone has more fun with you around.”

She wasn’t exactly wrong. It was something that she’d heard every so often. But still, hearing it from Jess felt different somehow.

“Doyouhave more fun with me around?” Sam asked, shooting her a playful smile.

Jess rolled her eyes as she chuckled. “If I say yes, are you gonna tease me about it all night?”

Sam grinned. “Maybe.”

“Then no,” Jess replied, eyes narrowing in a half-hearted glare.

“Very convincing,” Sam smirked. She gazed up at the starry night sky, letting out a deep sigh. “I still can’t believe she’s getting married.”

“Why not?”

Sam shrugged. “Guess I’m just surprised I know anyone that’s getting married. I feel like we’re all still so young.”

Jess nodded faintly, but said nothing.

Sam turned, studying her expression. “You don’t think so?”

Jess lifted one shoulder in a small shrug. “I don’t think it’s about the time. It’s about the person.”

Sam watched her, feeling the sudden urge to ask if she thought Liz was the right person at any point. But she also wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.

“You’ve really never thought about it?” Jess asked.

“Thought about what? Getting married?”

Jess nodded, her eyes still fixed on the path in front of them.

Sam snorted a laugh. “In order to do that, I’d need time to think about anything beyond work. And I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

Jess hummed softly. “What about kids?”

Sam turned to her, brows tugging together. “What about them?”

“Do you want them?” Jess asked so casually it was like she was asking what she wanted for dinner.

Sam blew out a breath, chuckling. “Uh—yeah. Yeah, I do. Definitely.”

The corner of Jess’ lips turned upward as she looked at her. “So marriage sounds like a totally foreign concept, but kids is a no brainer?”

Sam tilted her head back in a laugh. “Okay wait,” she started, putting up a hand. “I didn’t say it was a foreign concept. Just that I’ve never really thought about it.”

Jess turned away, but amusement still danced in her eyes. “Right.”

They continued up the path until it wrapped around to a corner of the building. Sam followed behind her until she turned the corner and stopped.

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