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Sam undid her seatbelt as the car rolled to a stop at the curb of the wedding venue, her chest tightening with a mix of nerves and anticipation.

The building loomed ahead, a rustic yet elegant estate wrapped in climbing ivy, with tall arched windows that glowed in the dim evening light.

She stepped out of the car, the cool evening air brushing against her face as she adjusted her blazer.

The path leading up to the entrance was lined with delicate flower arrangements in glass vases perched atop wrought iron stands. Twinkling string lights arched above, casting soft, golden hues on the cobblestones below. She slowed her pace, trying to take it all in, even as her mind tugged at her—pulling her back to what she knew she needed to do.

Jess had been there since the early morning, tucked away with Scarlett in the bridal suite, doing all the traditional pre-wedding things Sam couldn’t even begin to imagine.

And now, she was glad for it.

She needed to tell Jess. She needed to tell her about the offer—and the one specific detail that came with it.

But it wasn’t the right time. It needed to wait until after the wedding.

And selfishly, maybe she wanted to wait as long as possible. Because the second she told her, everything would change. They’d no longer be able to avoid the hard conversations. It would all come to a head.

It would all come to—an end.

She reached the large wooden doors, surrounded by huge windows on all sides, looking into the main waiting area and dining hall.

The door opened with a creak, and the faint scent of roses and eucalyptus flowed out, mingling with the distant hum of music.

A server passed by, balancing a tray of champagne flutes, the delicate clinking of glass barely audible over the soft buzz of voices. Sam followed the sound of laughter and conversation, crossing through an archway into a wide cocktail room.

Small, round tables draped in white linen filled the space, while clusters of people leaned against the bar or gathered near the sprawling windows that overlooked the estate’s gardens.

She scanned the room, instantly finding a few familiar faces.

The hum of conversation swirled around her, an indistinct buzz of laughter and clinking glasses that only amplified the restlessness in her chest. Her eyes skimmed over clusters of people, scanning each face with a rising urgency. She didn’t even realize her fingers had started fidgeting with the edge of her blazer until she forced them still.

And then she saw her.

Jess stepped out from the far side of the room, moving toward one of the cocktail tables to set down an empty glass.

For a moment, all the surrounding noise seemed to fall away.

The soft glow of the chandelier lights caught the subtle shimmer of her dress as she tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. She paused, straightening, and glanced across the room.

Then their eyes met.

The grin that broke across Jess’ face was nothing short of magnetic, and Sam felt her feet move without thought.

Whatever tension had been simmering beneath her skin since she’d arrived immediately melted away.

“Hey,” Jess said with a warm smile as she approached, her lightly curled blonde hair flowing down the front of her tight, dark blue dress.

“Hey,” Sam replied as Jess slipped her arms around her waist.

“Sorry,” Jess said softly, pulling back but keeping her hands resting on her hips. “I would’ve found you sooner, but it took longer than I thought it would to get ready.”

“All good,” Sam said, smiling back at her as her eyes instinctively trailed down, admiring the beautiful woman before her. She caught herself a split second later, pulling her eyes back up as she cleared her throat.

And she knew by the amused look in Jess’ eyes, she’d been caught.

Jess leaned in closer as she whispered, “Dress looks better than you remembered?”