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Sam wanted to ask if she’devertold him much about that. But it didn’t seem like the right response. Not with that being the most serious thing he’d ever really said to her in all the times they’d interacted.

“I wouldn’t take it personally,” Sam said with an easy chuckle. “Pretty sure Scarlett is the only one that gets all the details.”

Mike nodded, giving her what was probably the closest thing to a smile she’d ever seen on him.

“Dinners ready!” Suki called out from the kitchen.

***

Sam rested her shoulder against the weathered wooden railing of the back porch steps, her eyes fixed on the streaks of pink and orange spreading across the horizon where the sun had just dipped out of sight.

Dinner had gone better than expected. Once Jess had worked through her initial nerves, the night had flowed with easy laughter and conversation, each story and shared moment bridging the gaps between them.

Mike had left to drive Suki home after they’d all finished dinner and tidied up, leaving her and Jess with some time to themselves.

“So, what did you think?” Sam asked, turning to look at Jess, who sat beside her on the top step.

She nodded slowly, a small smile forming on her lips. “I like her. She’s sweet.”

“Yeah, she is.”

Jess glanced down at the cup between her hands. “It’s weird, though. I’ve never seen him like that with someone.” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, brow furrowing slightly. “He seemed—happy.”

“Yeah,” Sam muttered, the conversation between them resurfacing in her mind. “He was definitely—different.”

Jess looked at her, cocking her head to the side in question.

Sam opened her mouth to explain, but paused as a laugh worked its way out instead. “He um—he asked me about us.”

Jess’ brow furrowed. “Askedwhatabout us?”

“He asked if we were like—together.”

Jess’ head whipped to the side, eyes widening. “Are you serious?”

Sam laughed, shaking her head in shared disbelief. “Yep.”

“What did he say exactly?” Jess asked, turning her whole body toward her.

“He just asked if we were a thing—I guess. Or I mean, I think that’s what he was trying to get at.”

Jess blinked, staring at her as if waiting for more.“What else did he say?”

Sam shrugged lightly. “Nothing, really. You know him. Pretty sure he’s never said more than like one sentence to me at a time.”

Jess nodded slowly.A beat of silence passed, then she asked, her voice low and careful, “what did you tell him?”

Sam swallowed, looking away. “I said we were just friends.”

Jess was quiet for a moment, and Sam glanced back at her, studying the reaction.But her face betrayed no emotion.

“Is that—I mean, was that okay?” Sam asked slowly. “I didn’t really know what to—”

“No—yeah,” Jess replied, shaking her head. “Yeah. That’s fine.”

Sam nodded, looking out into the backyard as she took a sip of her water.

“I’m just surprised,” Jess muttered. “He’s never asked me about any of that stuff before.”