Page 129 of Balancing Act

“You guys talk?”

Beth pressed her lips together, rubbing at the back of her neck. “Some.”

Sean didn’t push, just nodded like he knew there was more to it. Which, of course, there was.

Pat slid the coffees across the counter, and Beth reached for them, turning to leave.

“We’ll talk more about the UCLA offer,” Sean said, but she waved him off as the door swung shut behind her. She was definitely not in the mood to talk about that yet.

By the time Beth got back, the house was still quiet.

She kicked off her shoes, balancing the cups in her hands as she made her way into the kitchen—only to find Jamie already up, sitting at the counter.

She looked better. Notgood, exactly, but at least a little morethere. She had changed into sweatpants and one of Beth’s old hoodies, her damp hair curling at the ends.

Beth set the coffees down, watching Jamie thoughtfully, before pushing one across the counter toward her with a cautious smile. The tension in the kitchen felt awkward, and she couldn’t help but tiptoe around Jamie, not wanting to push her back toward breaking point.

Jamie hesitated, then reached for the cup with both hands, exhaling as she returned the smile.

“Thanks,” she murmured, her voice rough with sleep and the gravity of last night.

Beth leaned against the counter, studying her. “Did you sleep at all?”

Jamie huffed out a dry, humorless laugh. “All of about five minutes.”

Beth tilted her head, voice gentle. “How are you really feeling?”

Jamie didn’t answer right away. She stared down at her coffee like it held the answer. Eventually, she spoke. “Like I don’t know how to do this.”

Beth’s chest ached.

“You don’t have to know how. Just know you don’t have to do it alone,” she said softly.

Jamie’s fingers tightened around her cup. “I don’t know how tonotdo it alone.”

She reached for Jamie, prying one of her hands from the cup and threading their fingers together. She squeezed gently. “Youlearn.”

Jamie let out another slow breath, her thumb brushing absently over Beth’s hand. “I—” she started, then stopped.

Beth squeezed her fingers again. “You what?”

“I need to call the doctor’s office.”

Beth nodded. Relief curled in her. “Yeah. You do.”

Jamie inhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over her face. “Will you—” She hesitated, her voice barely there. “Will you sit with me while I do it?”

She was already nodding. Because much like Jamie asking her to attend the mammogram appointment a few weeks ago, she of course would be there for Jamie in whatever way she needed her.

She shifted closer, pressing a soft kiss to Jamie’s knuckles. “Of course.”

Jamie closed her eyes for a second, nodding. Then she reached for her phone, staring at it like it might detonate in her hands.

Beth didn’t rush her.

She sat there, her hand still wrapped around Jamie’s, holding on.

Jamie braced herself. Then, with Beth beside her, she dialed the number.