22. Chapter 22

Chapter twenty-two

S am carefully tied the last knot in the ribbon around the vase, tugging on the ends until they were even.

“Perfect,” Jess said, placing another picture of Scarlett as a child into the vase.

She glanced around the backyard of Scarlett’s parent’s house, where different friends and family members gathered around white folding tables, laughing and talking as they each worked on different decorations.

Scarlett had insisted that they have the rehearsal dinner there and they build the centerpieces for the wedding tables themselves. She’d explained when they’d first arrived that night, after leaving the cemetery, that she’d always imagined the night beforeher wedding. She wanted that one night where their family and friends could get together and build something that would be there for their big day.

“Well,” Scarlett said from where she and Terrence sat across from them at the table, “It’ll definitely work. But I wouldn’t say either of you should leave your jobs to become decorators anytime soon.”

Sam snorted a laugh, peering across the table at the nearly perfect vase Scarlett and Terrence had assembled. “Well, maybe if you’d given us some more direction, it would’ve come out better.”

Scarlett grinned, adjusting the already perfectly tied bow they’d put on theirs. “That would defeat the whole purpose. I want it to be whatever you guys want to make. That’s what makes it special.”

Jess hummed, her brows furrowing as she tried and failed to cut an even edge around the next picture she’d chosen. “Well then, you can’t blame us for our decorating skills,” she murmured. “Or— lack of skills.”

“She just picked something she knew she’d be better than us at,” Sam said, throwing a challenging smirk across the table. “She’s trying to make up for all those nights she lost to us at beer pong in this house.”

Jess laughed, leaning her head over to rest on Sam’s shoulder for a moment as Scarlett glared across the table at them.

“Whatever,” Scarlet muttered. “You guys are both just like—freakishly good at sports.”

Jess chuckled, placing the photo carefully inside the vase with the others. “Sam’s freakishly good at a lot of things.”

The corner of Scarlett’s lips quirked upward, her head cocking to the side. “Oh, yeah?”

Jess must’ve caught the tone in her voice, because her hands froze where they were on the vase. “I mean—with—” she stuttered. Then she stopped, shaking her head as she rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

Sam chuckled as she picked up her soda can and tilted it back, finishing the last few drops. “I’m gonna get another drink,” she said, pushing her chair back in the grass. “You guys want anything?”

“I’m good,” Jess answered. “Thanks, though.”

Terrence shook his head, smiling up at her. “Nothing for me.”

“I’m ready for another,” Scarlett said, standing from her chair.

“I can grab you one—” Sam started, but Scarlett instantly waved her off.

“I’ll go with you,” she said, walking around the table. “I don’t know what I want.”

Sam nodded, turning to follow her into the back of the house.They went through the sliding glass door, crossing the living room where a few people sat, talking on the couch.

Sam approached the island, looking over the different beers that had been laid out.

“Wanna do a shot like old times?” Scarlett asked with a mischievous smirk.

Sam laughed, instantly remembering the first time she’d been in that kitchen. “I think I’ll save that for the wedding tomorrow.”

Scarlett hummed, grabbing two beers instead. “You sound like Terrence.”

She held one beer out to her, but when Sam reached for it, she pulled it back slightly out of reach.

Sam arched a brow, taking in the still mischievous look in her eyes. “What?” she asked slowly.

“You know what,” Scarlett answered with a small smirk.

Sam cocked her head, waiting for an explanation.

“You and Jess,” she said, her voice dropping slightly.

Sam looked away, a soft laugh bubbling out. “She told you?”

“She didn’t have to,” Scarlett replied, handing her the beer. “I know her—and I know you .”

Sam hummed, cracking the cap off against the edge of the countertop.

“When?”

Sam took a sip of the beer. “When what?”

Scarlett rolled her eyes. “You’re so hard to get information out of. When did you guys—you know?”

Sam looked away, thinking back to the day it had happened. “A few days after the bachelorette weekend.”

Scarlett hummed, nodding slowly as she took another drink. “Took longer than I thought it would.”

Sam squinted at her. “You expected it to happen?”

“Obviously,” Scarlett muttered with an incredulous look. “You know, you guys are both the smartest people I know. And somehow you’re also stupid as shit when it comes to each other.”

Sam snorted a laugh, taking another sip of her drink. “Thanks.”

“Seriously,” Scarlett continued, leaning back against the countertop. “I don’t know how you guys thought it would go any other way. You’re like magnets. If you’re near each other, you’re definitely not gonna stay apart for long.”

Sam bit the inside of her cheek, looking down at the beer as she swirled the bottle. “So how’d you know something happened?”

“You guys look happy,” Scarlett said with a shrug. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen her happy without you, too. But—” she paused, pursing her lips. “It’s different when it’s with you. Makes all the other times seem like nothing.”

That feeling wasn’t exclusive to Jess. Sam had felt it within herself, too. Ever since she’d been back—since she’d seen Jess again—she’d felt an inner happiness that paled in comparison to anything else.

“Yeah,” she breathed. “I know the feeling.”

Scarlett tipped her drink back, taking a long swig. “So what happens next?”

Sam shrugged, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the countertop. “I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it.”

“Well, it’s perfect timing, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re about to sell the company,” Scarlett answered, as if it was obvious. “Won’t you finally be able to stop moving constantly? You can finally settle down and stay for a while.”

Sam glanced down, turning the thought over in her mind. “Yeah. I guess.”

Scarlett squinted slightly, giving her a pointed look. “Then what’s the problem?”

Sam scratched the back of her neck. “I don’t know,” she said with a sigh. “What if the timing still isn’t right?”

She expected an instant rebuttal from Scarlett about how she was being ridiculous, or why she was overthinking things. But instead, she just watched her intently.

“I mean,” Sam continued, straightening back up, “I still don’t feel like I’m where I want to be yet in life. I still have so much I need to figure out, and what if that messes something up?” She sighed, shaking her head. “What if I do something wrong and she changes her mind or—”

“So what?” Scarlett cut in. “You’d rather keep doing this thing you guys have been doing for the last eight years? You’d rather never give it a real shot?”

Sam closed her eyes, letting out a breath. “That’s better than doing it too soon and messing it all up for good.”

“But what does that matter if you never actually end up going for it?”

Sam picked at the edge of the label on the bottle. She knew what Scarlett was thinking. That she was being stupid. And really, she could understand why. But it wasn’t that simple. The reasons why they hadn’t worked out in the past weren’t simple.

“Having the possibility of something working in the future is better than trying and failing and knowing for certain it didn’t work out.”

Scarlett’s eyes softened a touch as she looked at her. “But,” she continued, her voice more gentle than before, “what if it did work out?”

Sam stared down at the bottle in her hands, letting the question hang silently around them.She thought back to that first night they’d spent together in Scarlett’s house.

“For some reason, it felt easier at the very beginning,” she whispered. “When she didn’t really want me.”

Scarlett frowned, a dark look flashing through her eyes. “She always wanted you. She just didn’t know how to handle it.”

“I know, I know,” Sam sighed. “But honestly, back then, I don’t think I ever really believed that she would choose me at the end of it all.” She paused, thinking back to those days that now felt like another lifetime. “Or at least, I never let myself believe that she would.”

Scarlett frowned, stepping forward and squeezing her shoulder gently.

“Even the accident makes me feel guilty,” Sam whispered, staring down at her hands. “Like something I did to her.” Her jaw tightened involuntarily. “I caused her so much pain, without meaning to. I wouldn’t have blamed her for walking away.”

She felt Scarlett’s eyes on her, her expression looking slightly torn for a moment. Then she sighed. “She would kill me if she knew I was telling you this.” Sam watched her intently. “But even if she doesn’t know it, she was waiting for you. All that time, all those years, I think she was waiting for you to come back.”

A pleasant burn sizzled in her chest at the words, but an equally strong feeling of guilt surrounded it.

“But you know,” Scarlett continued, her voice low and careful, “she won’t wait forever. Even if she wants to.” Scarlett let out a sigh, leaning away. “Eventually, one of you will have to choose. Really choose. Because just doing this,” she motioned between Sam and the backyard, “it can’t last forever.”

***

The front door of Mike’s house creaked open, and Sam followed Jess inside.

She flicked on the light, and Sam’s gaze drifted across the familiar row of framed pictures that lined the walls, landing on one she’d look at every time she’d been in the house. It was Jess as a kid on Mike’s shoulders, holding a trophy, her blonde waves pulled back in a messy ponytail.

Jess tossed her keys onto a table by the door, and Sam looked up at her as she gave her a soft smile and nodded toward the staircase.

Sam followed, her boots echoing softly against the wooden steps. The air felt heavier upstairs, the kind of weight that came with memories embedded in the walls. Memories she was a part of.

Jess reached the second floor, then went down the hall, pausing in front of the open bathroom door. “I’m gonna take a quick shower.”

Sam leaned against the doorway, arms crossing as she watched Jess disappear into the bathroom. The sound of the faucet twisting on filled the silence, followed by the rush of water. Sam shifted her weight, unsure if she should wait in her bedroom or wander back downstairs.

Jess poked her head out, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. She moved closer, her bare feet silent against the hardwood.

“Just gonna stand there?” Jess asked, with a teasing lilt in her voice.

Sam smirked, watching her. “Maybe.”

Jess’ smile softened. Then she reached one hand out, her fingertips brushing Sam’s wrist before trailing up to her shoulder. Sam held her breath, soaking in the touch.

Jess leaned in, her lips finding Sam’s.

The kiss wasn’t heated or rushed. It was careful—deliberate. Like she had all the time in the world as her hand slid to the back of Sam’s neck and pulled her closer.

Then Jess pulled back just enough to whisper, her voice a low murmur that sent chills down her back. “Shower with me?”

Sam swallowed, her gaze meeting Jess’ as she nodded.

Jess smiled up at her softly as she tugged at the hem of Sam’s shirt, lifting it gently over her head. Sam raised her arms, the fabric sliding away before dropping onto the floor. Her hands skimmed Sam’s waist, undoing the button of her jeans with an ease that reminded her how many times she’d done it before.

Jess knelt slightly, guiding the fabric down Sam’s legs before standing again.

Sam watched through the clouded steam as Jess quickly discarded her own clothing before stepping into the shower.

When they moved beneath the spray of hot water, Jess turned to face Sam, her hands instantly finding her waist. She drifted closer, letting her fingers slide up Sam’s back, pressing their bodies together as the water ran over them.

Sam closed her eyes as Jess threaded her fingers through her wet hair, massaging her scalp in a slow, careful motion. Sam exhaled, curling her head down into her neck. And with every stroke of Jess’ hands, long held stress and tension rinsed away.

Jess leaned forward, lips brushing against Sam’s jaw and lingering there before moving to the hollow beneath her ear.

Neither of them spoke at first. There was no need to.

But eventually, Jess broke the silence.

“Have you thought about it?” she asked softly, her hands resting lightly on Sam’s back.

Sam opened her eyes, meeting Jess’ gaze. “About what?”

Jess hesitated, her thumb brushing against Sam’s collarbone. “What we’re doing. What it means.”

Sam swallowed, looking away. At the beginning, that was all she could think about. The fear that they were making an irreparable mistake. That they were ruining the one shot they had to finally be back in each other’s lives. Even if it was just as friends.

But now, talking about it was the last thing she wanted. There were too many things between them left unsaid. She didn’t even know where to begin.

But more than that, she didn’t know how it would end.

“I thought you didn’t want to talk about it,” Sam said softly.

Jess looked down, leaning her head into Sam’s bare chest. “I didn’t,” she whispered. “But maybe we should now.”

Sam ran a hand up her back, resting it on the base of her neck as she tried to hold on to the calm she’d felt just moments before. “Why now?”

Jess shifted slightly, her arms tightening around Sam’s waist. “Because I don’t want to hold back anymore,” she admitted. “I don’t want to stop myself from kissing you or touching your hand just because there are other people around. I don’t want to hide this just because I’m trying to make it not mean anything.”

A sharp ache flickered through Sam’s chest, her emotions twisting and coiling in ways she couldn’t untangle.

“I’m not saying I want to talk about the future or something,” Jess continued, her voice steady. “I just want to feel this—feel us—without worrying about if I’m doing too much. Or if it’s going too far.”

Sam nodded, understanding the feeling all too well. It was exactly how she’d felt when they’d first met. Every action or reaction had to be carefully measured. And it almost tore her apart.

“Yeah,” Sam whispered. “I get it.”

“I want to enjoy this time together,” Jess said, pulling her head back to look up at her. “The wedding tomorrow, our friends, and everything that comes with it. I don’t want to spend the whole time overthinking it anymore.”

Sam searched her face, finding nothing but sincerity in Jess’ eyes. She reached up, her fingers brushing Jess’ cheek. “Okay,” she whispered.

Because even if that made everything harder—if it crossed a line they couldn’t return from—if that’s what Jess needed, she’d do it without question.