Page 128 of Balancing Act

And now, she was here, curled up beneath the covers, her breathing steady but fragile, like the wrong move might shatter her all over again.

She stayed still, watching the early morning light creep in through the curtains, casting soft shadows across Jamie’s face. Exhaustion written all over her—hollowed out dark circles shadowed beneath her eyes, and tension still etched lines into her face, even in sleep.

She pressed a gentle kiss to Jamie’s hair before slipping out of bed. She needed a minute. Neededcoffee.

She pulled on a sweater over her sleep shirt and scribbled a quick note letting Jamie know where she was before grabbing her keys and quietly leaving the house, letting the morning chill wake her as she climbed into the car.

She hadn’t planned on going far—just to the Drip Drop Café. But as she pulled into town, Beth blinked at the sight of the café’s sign.

The name had changed.Again.

She groaned, rubbing a hand over her face. “Jesus, make up your mind already.”

The new name? The Grumpy Goat.

“Sure. Why not,” she said under her breath, as she pushed inside, the familiar scent of fresh coffee meeting her instantly.

The place still looked mostly the same—cozy chairs in the corner, the same slightly wobbly table by the window—but the menu had been updated, and there was new art on the walls.

Then she heard a voice she wasn’t expecting.

“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”

Beth turned toward the counter, blinking in surprise at the sight ofSean.

Standing beside him, grinning, was his broad-shouldered boyfriend—Pat Fitz-Simmons.

“What on earth?” she said, her confusion evident.

Pat smirked as he threw Sean an adoring smile. “Do you want to tell her or should I?”

Sean gave him a once-over, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You do it.”

Pat leaned casually against the counter. “We’re the new owners of The Grumpy Goat. I named it after Sean, can’t you tell?” His smile was wide and boyish as Beth glanced at the new sign again. Back to Pat. Then to Sean.

“Wait.Youbought the café?”

Pat chuckled. “Technically, Sean did. But, you know, what’s his is mine and all that.”

Sean sighed dramatically. “Pat’s friend owned it before. He decided his heart wasn’t really in it after his last breakup. So, I figured, why not? What’s one more business venture?”

Beth shook her head. Of course Sean would buy a café on the island just because hecould.

“Did anyone stop to think that maybe I moved out here to escape you people? First Sarah, now you two taking over my favorite café?” She rolled her eyes.

“Can’t escape me, darling. I’m everywhere.” He eyed her more closely this time. “You look like hell, by the way.”

“And I think by that he means, what can we get you?” Pat said, turning back to the espresso machine.

Beth shot Sean a look that she intended to sayFuck youbefore turning to Pat. “Can I get an iced lavender oat-milk latte, please?” She hesitated. “Actually, make it two.”

Pat raised a brow but didn’t say anything as he set about making the drinks.

Sean, however, wasn’t as subtle.

“So, Jamie resurfaced, then?”

“Yeah,” Beth answered shortly, hoping he’d get the hint that she didn’t want to talk about it. No such luck unfortunately.