Page 116

Finally, he cleared his throat on the other end. “Okay,” he murmured, his voice losing its urgency. “I’ll—tell him we need to reschedule for later this week or something.”

“Kay,” Sam mumbled, only half paying attention as she turned back, peering through the window once more. She scanned the room until she found Jess and Liz again, now in the far corner, slightly more hidden.

“Sorry,” Caleb murmured. “I just thought you’d want it to happen as quick as possible.”

She squinted, eyes dropping to where Liz’s hand now held Jess’ in her own.

“Its fine,” she said into the phone. And now, seeing how close Jess and Liz stood, their hands locked together, she was glad she’d had an excuse to walk away.

“I’ll text you after I know the new day and time.”

Sam listened as he mumbled something else, perhaps some form of a goodbye, but she was too distracted to listen.

She stood there with the phone still pressed tightly to her ear for a few moments before she realized the call had already ended.

And even then, she left it there, still watching Jess and Liz through the window.

Then Liz began to lean forward.

Sam’s heart lurched into her chest as she watched Liz slowly bend forward, placing a kiss on Jess’ cheek. A kiss she didn’t pull away from.

And that was it. She couldn’t watch anymore.

She turned, blinking the image out of her mind as she made her way to a small wooden bench a few yards from the entrance.

She tucked the phone into her pocket as she sat down, her mind reeling one moment, then going utterly blank the next.

She should’ve been thinking about the meeting she’d just turned down. Or the agreement they’d sent that she still needed to look over.

But all she could think of in that moment was what might have been happening inside.

And then another thought entered her mind.

London.

She had no right to be angry. She had no right to have any opinion on what Jess did—or what she chose.

She was going to leave. Again.

Maybe it would be better this way. Because Jess deserved better. She deserved someone who would stay.

And maybe—eventually—Liz would be that person. No matter how much Sam hated that thought, if that’s what was best for Jess, she would choose it in a heartbeat.

The door of the entrance pulled open.

Sam’s head whipped to the side, seeing Liz step out and trudge down the short path to the parking lot without so much as casting one glance in her direction.

She watched her the entire way until she was out of view.

Then the door opened again. And this time, it was Jess who walked out.

Sam watched as she looked around outside, then stopped once her eyes fell on the bench where Sam still sat.

She frowned, but looked relieved as she walked toward her before wordlessly dropping onto the bench.She stared out blankly into the parking lot, looking more worn and exhausted than she’d seen her in weeks.

Sam watched her intently, waiting. But as the seconds ticked on, she realized she wasn’t going to get the explanation she was looking for.

“So,” Sam said quietly, “you guys..” She trailed off, leaving the question hanging in the air.