Page 23 of Balancing Act

“Only to me.” He paused, his hand on his chin, gently stroking his signature well-manicured, salt-and-pepper-flecked goatee. “Not to add to your day, but I have a little bit of bad news. I just got off the phone with Lane Walker’s assistant. LACMA has decided to go in a different direction with their winter exhibit.”

“Of course they did,” she grumbled petulantly, drawing her knees up to her chest.

“It’s not all bad. Lane personally sends their regrets. They are a big fan of your work, and they really want to find a way to collaborate soon. I’ve invited them up for the holiday art auction at the end of the year, so we’ll go from there.”

She stared beyond the window that housed Sean’s face. She was unable to help the feeling of disappointment that accompanied his news. She had been afraid of this—that being back at home, her attention split between her art and other responsibilities, would mean the progress she had made over the past year would come to a grinding halt.

“I think this is for the best. Take a breather for a little while. Enjoy being home and being present with Lily. Find your inspiration. The creativity will start flowing again. It always does.”

“But I want to be working and creatingnow. I have so many ideas that areright there.” She held her hand out before her. “But I can’t reach them. It’s like they’re fuzzy and out of focus.”

“What’s that saying?” he mused. “You can’t draw water from an empty well?”

“Something like that.” She rested her chin on her knee.

“Go fill your well, Beth.” He paused for a moment. “That sounded better in my head.”

She couldn’t help the grin that fought its way through.

“Speaking of filling your well,” he said, “when were you going to tell me you and Sarah were sleeping together again?” He peered at her over his thick black glasses. “I thought we were done with all that.”

Beth felt her face go beet red as she stammered, “One: that was a terrible segue, and two: how do you even know that? And three: even if I am, it’s none of your business.”

“Sarah and I had lunch today.”

Beth paused for a moment in shock. “Why? You two can’t stand each other.”

“Correct, but business is business. And before you ask, she didn’t say it outright, but I can read between the lines. You two are back together, aren’t you?”

A heavy silence fell between them. Beth wasn’t about to be the one to break it. The disappointment in his voice was an unfortunate reminder that they had been down this road too many times.

Sarah was complicated, safe, but familiar—full of history—in both the good and bad ways. The life they’d built together had been secure, predictable, and utterly uninspiring. Even now, shecouldn’t help but cling to that feeling because she had known it for so long.

“We’re—you know—enjoying each other’s company as adults,” she finally countered.

“Beth, I love you. You’re like the sister I never had—nor particularly wanted—but as your friend, I have to ask... does Sarah really see you? The way you need to be seen?”

She stiffened at Sean’s words, torn between annoyance at and a deep appreciation for him. Why did he have to call her out like that? She didn’t know how to answer him and instead straightened her shoulders, sitting up a little taller on her stool. “I appreciate your concern, but I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” Sean challenged.

Frustration flared in Beth’s chest, threatening to bubble over. She took a deep breath. No. She didn’t know what she was doing. She never had—not once in forty-one years. Life always felt like a precarious balancing act she couldn’t quite master. Every time one part of her world seemed to thrive, another would teeter on the edge of collapse. No matter how hard she tried, perfect balance had never been in the cards for her.

But she wasn’t about to tell Sean that.

“Drop it, Sean.” She heard the bite in her voice.

“All I’m saying is, why waste your time with Sarah when you had that total hottie from the gallery a few weeks ago? Don’t think I forgot what I almost walked in on,” he added, with a smug smile.

Beth wasn’t sure how to explain Jamie—the thrill of that night, or the shock of finding out she was Lily’s coach.

“I can confidently say that’s not going anywhere. As it turns out, that woman is one of Lily’s new gymnastic coaches, which we figured out the next morning when we met officially.”

Sean laughed. “Oh shit.”

“Yeah.Oh shitis right.” Beth couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Of all the people in the world...

“Okay, but I don’t think I’m seeing the problem.”