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Jess let out a slow exhale, her thumb tracing a soft circle over Sam’s knuckles.

Sam swallowed, the soothing touch spurring her on. “I want this. Us.”

Jess lifted her other hand, brushing a loose strand of hair back from Sam’s face, her touch lingering. The silence between them grew charged, each second stretching.

Then slowly, softly, Jess leaned in.

Sam stilled as Jess’ warm lips met hers. It wasn’t hesitant or uncertain—it was purposeful, as if Jess were pouring years of unspoken feelings into that single, aching moment.

Then slowly, Jess pulled back, breaking the kiss.

Sam’s heart pounded as she opened her eyes, watching Jess release a slow breath.

“I missed you too,” she whispered, her hand sliding to rest against Sam’s cheek. Her thumb traced along her cheekbone as she held her gaze.

The corners of Sam’s lips turned up in a smile as the last of the overwhelming nerves in her stomach finally dissipated.

Jess leaned forward, sliding her arms around Sam’s waist and leaning her head against her shoulder.

Sam wrapped her arms around her in a tight embrace, savoring the feeling she’d missed for weeks.

“You know,” Sam said, unable to hold back the grin that tried to break across her lips, “Jess Hayes does sound pretty good.”

Jess groaned into her shoulder, then chuckled, pulling her head back to look up at her. “You just couldn’t wait to bring that up, could you?”

Sam grinned back at her. “No, I couldn’t.”

Jess shook her head as she laughed. Then she stopped, looking up at her with some mix of adoration and amazement.

“What?” Sam asked, cocking her head to the side as she chuckled.

Jess bit the edge of her lip, still staring at her. As if she was looking for the very first time.

“Hearing you say it,” she whispered. “I don’t think I realized how good it would sound coming from you.”

Chapter twenty-eight

Two Years Later

Sam adjusted the collar of her shirt for what felt like the hundredth time, staring at her reflection in the small mirror perched on the table. The suit she’d chosen was a deep charcoal, crisp and perfectly tailored, though she kept fiddling with it as if the right fold or tug would settle her nerves.

Tiana and Caleb bickered in the background, their voices filling the small room with an easy, playful energy.

“I’m just saying,” Caleb protested. “I’m the best man. I should get to stand next to her at the altar. Besides, you got to throw the bachelorette party, so I should get this.”

“Of course I got to throw the party,” Tiana shot back, glaring as she adjusted a stray petal of the flower pinned to Sam’s suit pocket. “You wouldn’t know the first thing about having a good time.”

Caleb rolled his eyes, adjusting the sleeve of his shirt. “The point is,Ishould be beside her,” he said, crossing his arms. “You got the party. I get the prime position. It’s fair.”

Sam chuckled, turning around to watch them, feeling the warmth that only people who knew her inside and out could bring.

The door creaked open, and Chris stepped in, his military dress uniform pressed and immaculate as always. He gave her a once-over, his expression as unreadable as ever. Then he strode over, tilting his head as he reached out to straighten her tie.

“How’re you feeling?” he asked.

Sam managed a weak smile. “Nervous.”

Chris nodded. “From what I’ve heard, that’s normal.” His eyes softened just a fraction as he gave her tie one last tug. “You look good.”