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Chapter twenty-nine

Jess leaned against the terrace railing, gazing out at the softly lit garden below. The hum of laughter and conversation drifted through the air as the last few guests began to say their goodbyes, waving and hugging each other in the warm glow of the evening. The night was winding down, but Jess felt more awake than she ever had.

She spotted Sam standing near the bar, one hand resting on her hip as she laughed at something Scarlett was saying. Tiana leaned in, adding to the story, her hands animated as she gestured wildly, and Sam’s head tipped back in laughter. That unrestrained, genuine sound Jess loved so much.

She couldn’t help but smile.

Her thoughts drifted back to the first time she’d seen it—the first time she’d reallyseenher. The real her. The quiet confidence. The way she’d listened more than she spoke, and yet somehow, always managed to make Jess feel like she was the only person in the world worth listening to.

It had taken years to get to this day. And they’d both earned every second.

She glanced over to where her father was sitting, arm resting on the back of his chair as he spoke with Suki.

He’d seemed different that night. His usual stoic presence softened with something lighter. He’d even laughed during the speeches, eyes crinkling at the corners in a way Jess hadn’t seen since before her mom had passed. And maybe some part of him was finally truly healing. Just like it had for her years before.

“Having your own party out here?” Sam’s voice cut softly through the quiet, and Jess looked up to find her standing there, that familiar half-smile on her lips.

Jess smiled, reaching out to take Sam’s hand as she joined her on the terrace. “Just thinking,” she murmured, glancing down as she laced her fingers with Sam’s. “About how we got here.”

Sam leaned her shoulder against Jess’, following her gaze out to the garden.

Jess turned to look at her, taking in the soft glow in her eyes. “Remember when we first met?”

Sam chuckled, squeezing her hand. “When you yelled at me in the parking lot?”

Jess snorted a laugh, rolling her eyes. “After that.”

Sam shot her a teasing look, cocking one eyebrow. “When I got punched in the face and then your dad showed up and interrogated me?”

Jess burst into a full deep laughter then, shaking her head. “Oh my god,” she said, pulling one hand away to push Sam’s chest lightly. “Fine. Not at the very beginning, then.”

Sam looked at her with a dazzling smile, leaning in as she waited.

“After the football game at the clinic,” Jess continued, keeping one hand resting against Sam’s chest. “When we were at Scarlett’s party. Remember when we talked on the bench outside?”

Sam nodded, her grin falling into a more serious, but loving, gaze.

Jess peered up at her, taking in every tiny detail of the clear and overwhelming love in her eyes.

“I think, even then, I loved you,” she whispered.

The air filled with quiet memories, the long journey they’d taken to get to that exact moment. Jess could feel it in the space between them—the weight of every choice, every time they’d found each other, over and over again.

Sam lifted their joined hands, pressing a light kiss to Jess’ fingers. “I think I did, too.”