Page 142 of Balancing Act

She squeezed Jamie’s hand, still trying to steady her breathing.

“I love you,” Jamie said between soft kisses, making her heart clench in the best way.

She cupped Jamie’s cheek, pulling her down into a deep and slow kiss, a thank-you without words.

“I love you so much,” she murmured against Jamie’s lips, feeling her smile form.

“Good.” Jamie’s fingers ghosted down her stomach, that wicked gleam back in her eyes that told her Jamie knew exactly what she was doing to her. “Now, let’s see how many times I can make you say my name before breakfast.”

Beth moaned, half exasperated, half already wrecked at the thought of what Jamie had planned for her.

Jamie grinned at the noises she made as she made good on her promise.

Beth groaned, stretching out beneath the covers as Jamie pressed a final lazy kiss to her shoulder. Their bodies were tangled together, basking in their afterglow. Jamie hummed with satisfaction as Beth laughed, running a hand through her hair before finally pushing herself upright.

“If I don’t get up now, I never will,” she muttered.

Her limbs were heavy, her body delightfully sore, and Jamie looked entirely too pleased with herself. She swatted at her on the way to the bathroom, mumbling how she needed to shower alone just to physically recover before date day officially began, but Jamie laughed, utterly unrepentant.

Which was how Beth found herself standing under the warm spray of the shower, letting the steam work through thelast remnants of exhaustion—and the very obvious evidence of Jamie’s handiwork.

She let herself linger momentarily, rolling out the tension in her shoulders. As much as she had resisted getting out of bed, she couldn’t deny that she was excited for whatever Jamie had planned for them today.

Loving Jamie had made Beth softer, but not in the way she had feared. It hadn’t dulled her edges or made her smaller—it hadexpandedher. Opened her. Jamie had shown her repeatedly that love didn’t have to mean sacrifice or losing herself. It could be easy and steady and passionate all at once.

She hadn’t seen any of this coming—not Jamie, not how they had built a life together, not how shewantedthis life more than she had ever wanted anything.

When she stepped out of the shower, a neatly folded pair of workout leggings and one of her favorite sweatshirts were waiting for her on the counter. Beth smirked, shaking her head as she pulled them on. Jamie always acted like she wasn’t sentimental, but the way she knew which sweatshirt Beth would want to wear said otherwise.

Once dressed, Beth ran a towel through her damp hair and stepped into the bedroom—only to find it empty.

She frowned slightly, padding downstairs in search of her girlfriend.

When she reached the kitchen, she stopped in the doorway, feeling that familiar swell in her chest when the sight of Jamie standing by the counter, holding two to-go coffee cups and a brown paper bag, greeted her. Her smile stretching wide as soon as their eyes met.

Beth’s eyes flicked to the bag, already knowing what was inside. She crossed the kitchen and pulled it open to find her favorite breakfast sandwich—egg, turkey bacon, and avocado, all on an everything bagel.

“You,” she said, reaching for the sandwich, “are ridiculous.”

Jamie smirked as she handed her one of the coffees. “Ridiculously thoughtful?”

Beth took a sip. “I was going to say ridiculously predictable, but sure, let’s go with that.”

Jamie laughed, leaning back against the counter as Beth unwrapped her sandwich.

She took a bite and sighed happily. “Okay, I’ll admit, this is a pretty solid way to start date day.”

“Glad you approve.”

Beth eyed her thoughtfully, chewing before speaking “So, are you going to tell me what we’re doing today?”

Jamie smiled, grabbing her own coffee. “You’ll find out soon enough.” She leaned in and swiftly placed a kiss on Beth’s cheek before moving toward the door. “Come on, babe. Trust me.”

Beth followed, rolling her eyes. “I do trust you.”

Jamie turned and grinned. “Good.”

Whatever Jamie had planned, it was going to be good. And honestly? She was happy enough to be wherever Jamie was.