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Jess sat down, and Sam pulled the other chair around the table to sit right beside her.

“The server will be right over,” the hostess said with a polite smile, leaving two menus.

“Thanks,” Sam replied, pulling her phone and wallet out of her back pocket to set on the table.

When she turned to look at Jess, she was already staring at her with a smile she couldn’t quite decipher.

“What?” Sam asked with a laugh, all too aware of the way their knees rested against each other.

Jess shook her head, glancing down at the table. “I just can’t believe you’re finally here,” she whispered. “I can’t believe it’s been a year since I last saw you.”

Sam laughed. “You see me on FaceTime like every day.”

Jess smiled, rolling her eyes. “You know what I mean. It’s not the same.”

Sam watched the way Jess leaned back in the chair, pushing her long hair over her shoulder.

“No,” she breathed. “It’s not the same.”

Jess looked back at her as she placed a hand on the edge of the chair, just inches away.

A voice cleared beside them, and Sam turned.

“Hi guys,” the young woman said with a smile. “I’ll be your server this evening. Can I get you started with something to drink?”

“Oh, yeah,” Sam muttered, looking down at the menu on the table in front of them.

Jess’ warm hand slipped onto her forearm. “They have the best margaritas here, if you’re in the mood for tequila.”

“Yeah, sure,” Sam replied. “That sounds perfect.”

“I’ll have one of those, too,” Jess added.

“Two margaritas. Got it. I’ll put those in now for you.”

***

Sam laughed so hard her cheeks ached as she set the margarita glass down beside the other two empty ones.

“I can’t believe Scar would do that,” Jess said, laughing as she leaned her shoulder against Sam’s.

“Really?” Sam asked, raising an eyebrow. “Because Scarlett would be the first one I would expect to take me to a beach party like that.”

Jess chuckled, shaking her head. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She sipped the last of her drink before setting it down on the table. “I’m really glad you guys got so close.”

Sam nodded, her lips tugging into a small smile. “Yeah. Me too.”

The server approached the side of the table, placing a black leather check holder down in front of them. “I’m just dropping this off now,” she said. “But there’s no rush. Take your time.”

Jess reached forward, grabbing it as the server walked away. “I got it.”

“What? No way, I—“

Jess shook her head. “You always pay for our dates, so—“ She paused, looking down as she tucked a card inside. “I mean, every time we hang out, you always try to pick up the check.” Jess cleared her throat, glancing back up at her. “So it’s only fair.”

Sam smirked, letting her eyes linger and watch the way Jess shifted in her chair as she glanced out at the people passing on the sidewalk.

After a moment, Jess turned back, finally meeting her gaze.