Page 115 of Balancing Act

“Beth?” Lane prompted, still buzzing on the other end.

Beth swallowed, trying to push through the fog in her head. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m here. Wow, Lane, I—I don’t know what to say.” She really didn’t.

“Say you’ll do it!” Lane laughed. “This is the kind of opportunity that changes everything.”

Beth let out a shaky breath. “Right. Yeah. I wasn’t expecting this.”

“I get it. It’s a lot to process. But listen, you don’t have to decide right this second. Think about it, okay?”

Beth nodded, even though Lane couldn’t see her. “Yeah. I will.”

She hung up the phone, still a little in shock, trying to piece together the pieces of the puzzle of what the heck Lane was talking about. Her hand instinctively ran through her hair, pulling slightly at the ends as she let out a sigh.

“Was that Lane?” Sean’s voice from behind her surprised her as she caught the excited look in his eye.

“Yeah. How did you...” She trailed off as his smile grew.

“I know I’m good, but I timed this perfectly. You’re welcome.” He beamed at her.

“What are you talking about, Sean?”

“The residency. I submitted an application for you, because imagine my surprise when I called to check up on things and was told they had not yet received your application.”

Beth blinked, gripping her phone a little tighter. “Sean, what the hell?” The words snapped out sharp and biting, but she didn’t take them back. “You submitted it? Without even telling me?”

Sean winced. “Okay, yeah, in hindsight, maybe not my best move. But, Beth, come on. You and I both know you wouldn’t have done it.”

Beth crossed her arms as she tried to process this. “Sean?—”

“I know, I know.” He held up a hand, cutting her off before she could say anything else. “I should’vetalkedto you first. And if you’re mad, I’ll take it. But come on, Beth. This ishuge. This is UCLA. This is a chance to work with some of the best artists in the country. Youbelongin a place like that.”

Beth opened her mouth to argue, but the words stuck in her throat. Not because she was mad. Not because he was wrong.But because the truth was she didn’t know if shedidwant that anymore.

A few months ago, she would have said yes before Lane even finished the sentence. No hesitation. No second-guessing. But now?

Now, she had a life in Washington—a life she loved.

And yet, she couldn’t quite say no. Not yet.

She let out a slow breath, glancing away. “I just—I don’t know, Sean.”

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I mean I need to think about it,” she admitted. “I’ve got other priorities right now that are more important.” She trailed off, struggling to put it into words.

Sean studied her, his expression shifting into a thoughtful examination of her. “Okay,” he said, after a beat. “Let’s think about it now.”

A sad laugh left her as she shook her head. “It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?” Sean challenged. “Beth, this is yourcareer. The thing you’ve worked so hard for. And don’t get me wrong—I love that you’re happy, that you’ve built this whole life for yourself that you love. But I think an opportunity like this warrants a little consideration?”

Beth looked at him, then down at the phone still clutched in her hand.

Did it?

She thought about UCLA. About what a summer there would mean. The connections, the exposure, the experience. But now, standing here, all she could think about was what leaving for the summer would be like—leaving Jamie, and more importantly, leaving Lily.

“Think about it, okay?” he said.