Page 136 of Balancing Act

Jamie rolled her eyes. “On Wren. Did she pass the very high standards of Lily Gallagher?”

Lily grinned, kicking at the ferry’s metal base. “Yeah, she’s cool. Kinda awkward, though.”

“That’s an understatement.”

Lily grinned. “She told me she grew six inches in one summer and has been trying to figure out what to do with her limbs ever since.”

Jamie snorted. “Sounds about right.”

“She’s nice, though. We exchanged Snapchats. We’re gonna meet up soon.”

Jamie smiled, relieved. “Good. I think she could use a friend.”

Lily nodded, then fell quiet again as they each looked out over the water.

Jamie gave her a moment before bumping their shoulders together. “What’s up, kid?”

Lily hesitated, then turned toward Jamie. There was an intensity behind her eyes, like the one she had seen in Beth’s during their deepest conversations. “Are you okay?”

“What?” Jamie blinked, momentarily taken aback by the question.

Lily shrugged, suddenly uncertain, like she wasn’t sure if she should have asked. “I don’t know. You just haven’t really been yourself this week.”

Jamie had tried to be so careful—so sure that she had kept everything under control around Lily—trying to ensure she never noticed how tightly wound Jamie had been and how fear had curled inside her like a live wire. Clearly she hadn’t tried hard enough because of course, Lily had noticed.

She always noticed.

Jamie swallowed, forcing her expression into neutrality. “I’m fine,” she said, after a beat, making her voice as easy as possible.

Lily wasn’t convinced, but she let it go. And Jamie quickly pivoted the conversation away from herself. “What about you? Trials are coming up fast. How are you feeling?”

Lily tilted her head slightly. “Excited. Nervous. I don’t know. It’s weird.”

“Weird how?”

“I think... it’s just wild that it’s happening. Like, I’ve been dreaming about this forever, and now it’s real but also kind of intense. If I don’t make it this time, I really only have one other shot at the Olympics, and not until I’m nineteen.”

Jamie shifted her weight, thinking before responding, wanting to validate everything Lily was thinking and feeling. “That feeling?” she said quietly. “That’s how you know itmatters. But between you and me”—she bumped her shoulder against Lily’s—“I’d bet money you’re going to make that Olympic team.”

“I hope so,” Lily said, staring out at the water. Jamie watched her as she chewed on her bottom lip. “There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

Jamie raised an eyebrow.

Lily hesitated, then straightened, facing Jamie fully. “I want to start building my brand.”

“Your brand?” Jamie blinked, trying to follow her thinking.

“Yeah.” Lily nodded, suddenly animated. “My brand. You know, like a social-media presence. Instagram or TikTok or something like that. I want to start sharing more about my training and gymnastics—a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be an elite athlete.”

Jamie tilted her head, studying her. “That’s... not a bad idea.”

“Right?” Lily grinned. “I mean, I follow so many athletes who do that, and they’ve built whole careers out of it. Plus, it could help with sponsorships. A lot of companies want athletes with strong personal brands now, especially since we can make money off name, image, and likeness deals.”

Jamie nodded slowly, impressed with the thought Lily had already put into this. It made sense. Lily was smart. She wasn’t only thinking about the sport but about longevity. About her future.

“But...” Lily deflated slightly. “I need to convince my moms first.”

Jamie snorted. “Ah. There it is.”