Page 54

The bowling alley hummed with the low thrum of background music and the rhythmic clatter of pins being struck. The faint smell of oil and fried food filled the air, mingling with the bursts of laughter and cheers from nearby lanes.

Sam tried to keep her focus despite the endless fog of exhaustion that hung over her.

“Sam! Over here!”

Scarlett’s voice pulled her attention, and she spotted her waving from their lane, where Jess and Terrence were already seated. She forced her legs to move, trying to look presentable and not like she’d just spent the entire day feeling like her body was fighting a losing battle.

“Sam!” Terrence exclaimed, rising to his full towering height as she approached. His dark, muscular frame gave him a commanding presence, but the warmth of his boyish smile softened the intensity.

“Hey,” she said, mustering a smile as he pulled her into a crushing hug.

“It’s been forever,” he said, stepping back and giving her a once-over with a playful grin that made him seem much younger than he was. “Scar said you’d be here, but I didn’t believe her. How’ve you been?”

Sam chuckled dryly. “Busy. You know how it is.”

“I’ll bet,” he replied with a laugh. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

“Hey,” Jess said, her voice drawing Sam’s attention as she shifted on the bench to make room.

“Hey,” Sam replied, exhaling the first real smile she’d managed all day as she slid onto the seat next to her.

They settled into a rhythm, easy conversation flowing around her, though Sam barely registered most of it. She nodded along, forcing herself to laugh at the right moments, but her mind was elsewhere—floating, fading in and out.

Scarlett had just bowled a spare when her phone buzzed on the scoring table. She glanced at the screen and let out a small groan.

“Shit,” she muttered, standing up and grabbing her drink. “I forgot I was supposed to call my mom tonight. She’s been hounding me for days about the schedule for the rehearsal dinner.”

Terrence chuckled where he stood beside her. “Want me to handle it? I can charm my way out of it for you.”

Scarlett raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh, you think so?” she teased, then sighed, glancing at Sam and Jess apologetically. “Sorry, I should go take this before she starts blowing up my phone.”

“Its fine,” Jess said with a wave of her hand. “Take your time.”

Terrence grabbed his jacket and placed a hand on Scarlett’s lower back. “I’ll come with you.” He turned back to Sam and Jess, flashing a quick grin. “Don’t cheat while we’re gone.”

Scarlett rolled her eyes affectionately as she led the way toward the exit, already dialing her phone. Terrence followed,throwing a quick wink over his shoulder before they disappeared into the crowd.

Jess’ voice cut through the fog. “Tired?”

Sam shrugged, picking up her ice water. She took a sip, the cold biting against the soreness in her throat. “Long work days. Not feeling too great today,” she admitted.

Jess frowned, concern darkening her eyes.

“How are you feeling, though?” Sam asked. “You sound a lot better than yesterday.”

Jess glanced away, clearing her throat. “Yeah,” she drawled. “I wasn’t sick, just—not in the mood to do much.”

Sam watched her, waiting to see if she would tell her what she already knew.

Jess’ throat bobbed as she swallowed, eyes still fixed on the scoring monitor. “Liz and I broke up.”

Sam waited a beat to see if she would say anything else, but she didn’t.

“I’m sorry,” Sam said softly.

Jess’ eyes flicked up to hers as her head cocked slightly to the side, eyes narrowing. “You don’t sound surprised.”

An apologetic frown pulled across her face. “I saw Liz at the office yesterday.”