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Sam turned, surprised at both the gentle, almost intimate touch, and also the change in her tone from when they’d spoken before. Her expression seemed entirely different from when she’d first arrived. It was easy—casual. But it also held something else.

Jess’ eyes lingered on her in a way that sent a ripple of warmth through her stomach.

A slow smile spread across Sam’s face, the ease in Jess immediately seeping into her. “Figured you’d find me, eventually.”

Jess smiled, stepping closer. And again, that smile stirred something. A deep anticipation. Her hand rested lightly on the back of Sam’s chair, her presence warm and steady at her side.

“Having fun?” Jess asked, her voice low as she leaned a little closer.

Sam nodded toward the group she’d been talking to. “I think I’ve learned more about Terrence’s college days in the last ten minutes than I ever needed to know.”

Jess chuckled, her fingers brushing Sam’s shoulder briefly as she shifted her weight. “He’s probably left out all the best parts.”

“Probably,” Sam said, shooting her a wry smile.

One of the guests called Jess into the conversation, but she stayed where she was, her hand idly grazing Sam’s arm as she leaned in, laughing along with the group. When Sam turned to her again, Jess’ gaze hadn’t moved.

“What?” Sam asked with a playful smile.

Jess shook her head, her hand falling briefly to Sam’s arm as she leaned back. “Nothing,” she said, her voice tinged with amusement.

Another wave of people passed by, one of them stopping to greet Jess with a quick hug and exchange of pleasantries. Jess answered them politely but briefly, her attention flicking back to Sam almost immediately once they moved on.

Jess’ hand rested on the edge of the table, her fingers barely brushing Sam’s as she adjusted her position. The contact was fleeting, subtle enough that anyone else would’ve missed it.

“Not drinking?” Jess asked, nodding to her water glass.

Sam shrugged lightly. “Not tonight.”

Jess gave her a knowing look as she nodded slowly. “Keeping your head clear, huh?”

Sam’s smile softened. “Maybe.”

Jess’ lips twitched upward, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The noise of the party seemed to fade as Jess’ gaze settled on her.

“What?” Sam asked, the corner of her mouth quirking upward.

Jess stared at her for a long moment. “Just thinking about what would’ve happened if Scarlett hadn’t shown up that day.”

Sam stared back at her, the smirk on her lips dropping as nerves suddenly flooded her stomach. But it wasn’t because of what she’d said. It was because of the look in her eyes. The hot, but carefully guarded longing in them.

She swallowed, unable to stop her eyes from flicking down to Jess’ lips before yanking back up.

And this time, it was Jess who smirked. A smirk she instantly wanted to devour.

She reached a slow hand out, resting it against Sam’s thigh beneath the table.

Sam tensed, her eyes flicking down as an anxious but pleasant feeling bloomed in her chest.But when Sam looked back up at her, she had a more serious but cautious look in her eyes.

And yet, she didn’t pull her hand away.

Instead, she cocked her head slightly, eyes flicking down to her hand, then back up.

And even though Sam knew they shouldn’t—that they should leave what happened the day before in the past—her body screamed for the opposite.

It begged to keep Jess’ hand exactly where it was. It begged to feel her in any way it could—ineveryway it could.

And sitting there beside her, taking in the intensity in her eyes, it felt impossible to deny.