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Tiana let out an exaggerated groan. “Alright, well, come on,” she muttered, motioning her over. “Let’s get it over with. I’m not trying to spend my whole Friday night here.”

Sam chuckled, shaking her head. “Right,” she said, throwing Jess an amused glance as Tiana grabbed her hand to pull her away. “You coming?”

Jess shook her head. “I’m all talked out. I’ll find you guys later, though.”

They made their way around the crowd, stopping to meet and talk with different people Sam recognized from the few times she’d been at the office.

And as the time ticked on and the drinks flowed, the conversation devolved along with it.

But she played her part to perfection. She put on a smile, giving her thoughts and telling some relevant story that hadeveryone in the group laughing by the end.As she finished, though, the smile felt more forced than it had before. As if just standing there between them all, pretending to care and have fun had become the most enormous task in the world.

She cleared her throat, letting the painful smile melt away as she excused herself from the conversation.

“Okay, I’ve hit my breaking point,” Tiana muttered from beside her. “I can’t do this small talk anymore.”

And this time, she agreed.

“Me too. Let’s head out.”

They made their way through the thinned out room of people before exiting the building to the sidewalk in front of the event center.

“Done for the night?” Liz’s voice called out from behind them.

Sam looked over her shoulder to see Liz and Jess walking toward them.

“Absolutely not,” Tiana quipped. “I’m ready to go out and have some real fun.”

Sam shot her an amused look. “You just spent all day out talking to people, and now you want to do it even more?”

“Of course,” Tiana replied as if it were obvious. “It’s a Friday night, and I just worked all day.”

“You know,” Jess cut in beside them as Liz took her hand. “I actually kind of agree. I thought I’d be more exhausted, but going out sounds like fun.”

Tiana squealed, a wide grin breaking out across her face. “Yes!”

Sam caught the slight frown that passed over Liz’s features as Jess turned to her.

“I don’t know,” Liz muttered, stifling a yawn. “Its been a long day. I kind of just want to head home,” she said, offering Jess an apologetic look.

“Oh,” Jess replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice. “Yeah—no, that’s okay.”

“Oh, come on,” Tiana groaned. “Its barely even six. Just come out for a few hours, at least.”

Jess looked back at Liz, who pursed her lips, but seemed to be considering it, nonetheless.

After a moment, she let out a low exhale. “Okay. Fine. Yeah, I’m in.”

Tiana grinned, looking back at Sam. “You’re coming too. And don’t even try to say you have to work in the morning.”

Sam chuckled. “Hey, I was already gonna say yes.” She rolled her stiff shoulders back. “I think I’m gonna take the morning off.”

“Perfect,” Tiana said, grabbing her hand. “There’s a gay bar downtown that I’ve been dying to go to.”

Jess pulled her phone out of her pocket. “What’s the name? I’m gonna text Scar and see if she wants to meet us.”

Chapter six

“He said that?” Jess asked, her head jerking back in amused shock.