Page 82 of Finding Jess

Sam relayed the cross streets of the address to Jess’ apartment.

“I’m going that way,” Michelle said. “You want a ride?”

“Are you sure?” Sam asked hesitantly. “It’s not out of your way?”

“Not at all,” Michelle replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Come on.”

Sam followed her out into the parking garage. The rhythmic sound of rain against concrete accompanied them as they climbed into Michelle’s car. The two talked easily during the drive, the conversation flowing as smoothly as the windshield wipers working overtime to clear the view ahead.

When Michelle finally pulled up to the curb outside Jess’ apartment building, Sam thanked her and hopped out.

Water splashed up around her ankles, and she raised a hand to shield her face, squinting through the downpour to read the numbers on the doors. When she finally found the one Jess had sent her, she jogged toward it, stopping beneath the small overhang to shield herself.

She knocked once, pressing herself in close to the door.

Within a moment, the door swung open, and Jess’ wide eyes and pale face stared back at her.

“Hey,” Sam said slowly, her eyebrows pulling together. “What’s wrong—”

Before she could get another word out, Jess surged forward. She threw her arms around her, pulling her into a crushing embrace.

Sam froze for a moment, confusion morphing into worry.

“What’s—”

Jess suddenly pushed her back, still keeping a firm grasp on her forearms, holding her in place.

“Why would you do that?” Jess demanded, her voice trembling with equal parts panic and anger.

“What are you—”

“Why would you ride in the rain?” Jess cut her off, her voice rising.

Sam stared at her, blinking. She knew that panicked, detached look in her eyes. The pale sheen on her skin. She knew it all too well.

“I—”

“You didn’t answer your phone,” Jess snapped, her words spilling out too fast. Her hands shook where they gripped her arms. “I tried calling—you didn’t—you didn’t pick up and—”

The crack in her voice stopped Sam cold.

Jess stuttered, her breath catching as if she couldn’t finish her thought. Sam could feel her trembling, could see the panic radiating off her in waves. That look in Jess’ eyes, the raw edge to her voice—it wasn’t anger. It was fear.

And then, finally, realization dawned on her.

“Hey,” Sam said softly as she slowly slid her arms back, taking Jess’ quivering hands in her own as she stepped past the threshold and into the apartment. “I didn’t ride here. Someone drove me since it was raining.”

Jess stared at her, eyes flicking over her face and body, as if they were still working to confirm once and for all that she really was there.

And that look alone was enough to cause a tidal wave of guilt to crash through every inch of her.

“You—” Jess shook her head slightly, blinking. “You said—” She shook her head again, the look of panic in her eyes finally waning. “And then you didn’t pick up. I—”

Sam squeezed her hands gently. “My phone was in my backpack. I didn’t know you called.”

Jess looked down, her eyes seeming to focus on where Sam held her hands.

Sam waited a moment, watching her. Then finally, she looked up, scanning the cozy apartment to find the couch nearby.

---