Page 74 of Finding Jess

“Maybe you should go talk to her?” Scarlett urged gently. “You know, flirt a little. Help yourself move on from the breakup.”

Jess lifted one brow. “I don’t need help moving on.”

Scarlett frowned. “Well, you seemed off this morning. Thought maybe it was bothering you.”

“I’m fine. Seriously.” She swallowed, and as Sam watched the interaction, it felt like Jess was purposely avoiding her gaze. “It wasn’t—that.” Jess said slowly. “I was just out of it. I’m fine though.” She loosed a breath, tugging what looked like a forced smile onto her face.

“I’m gonna grab a drink,” Tiana said, standing up and smoothing down her tight dress. “You all good with another?”

They all nodded, and Tiana slipped away toward the bar, leaving Scarlett and Jasmine to dive back into wedding plans. Sam sat still, her eyes tracking Jess, feeling the unease simmering beneath her own skin.

She cleared her throat, leaning forward slightly. “Hey,” she said softly, keeping her voice low enough that the others wouldn’t hear. “About last night…”

Jess’ eyes flicked to her, a flash of something passing over her face.

“I’m sorry,” Sam continued, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I didn’t mean for things to get so—tense.”

Jess’ expression softened, but only slightly. “It’s fine,” she said, brushing it off. “Really.”

Sam pressed her lips together, nodding, though she didn’t fully believe it. There was still something between them—something left hanging from the night before—but it wasn’t the time to push.

Before the silence could stretch too long, Tiana returned, a playful grin lighting up her face. Behind her was the woman Scarlett had pointed out earlier, the one who’d been checking Jess out from across the bar.

“Hey guys, this is Joanna,” Tiana said, introducing the woman. Joanna smiled, but her attention immediately zeroed in on Jess.

Sam forced a polite smile as the woman settled into their group, her interest in Jess painfully obvious. Jess, to her credit,was polite, nodding along as she chatted with her, though her responses stayed clipped and reserved.

The drinks arrived shortly after, and Sam downed hers quickly, hoping to ease the awkwardness settling in her chest.

“Alright, I need to dance,” Scarlett announced suddenly, pulling Jasmine to her feet.

Sam hesitated, but followed the group as they moved toward the dance floor. The music was louder there, the lights more erratic, casting flashes of neon across their faces. And Sam couldn’t help but notice the way Joanna stuck close to Jess, still talking—pressing for every bit of her attention.

Before long, Jess and Joanna were dancing together, the space between them shrinking with every beat of the music. She watched Jess’ hands find the other woman’s waist, the two of them moving in sync.

Tiana pulled Sam closer as she danced beside her. “You okay?”

Sam nodded quickly. “Yeah. All good.”

But even as she said it, she couldn’t tear her eyes away from them.

Tiana pulled back, looking first at her, then following her gaze across the dance floor. And when she looked back at Sam, she wore an intrigued expression.

Sam stared at her, waiting. But Tiana just kept looking at her like she’d done something completely out of the ordinary.

“What?” Sam finally muttered.

Tiana blinked, cocking her head as the look morphed into an entertained grin. “Are youjealous?”

“What?” Sam asked, yanking her head back in surprise. “No, of course not.”

Tiana spit out a laugh as her eyes widened. “Oh my god, you are! You’re totally jealous!”

Sam set her jaw, evening out her expression as she continued dancing, looking anywhere but at Jess and the woman.

“Wow,” Tiana said, shaking her head as she glanced back to where Jess was dancing. “Guess there’s a first time for everything.”

“I’m not jealous.”

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