Page 58 of Balancing Act
She needed to get out of there—needed space to think, to sort through the overwhelming feelings crashing over her.
She opened the door and stepped into the hallway, the cool air hitting her like a splash of water. She exhaled sharply, tryingto shake off the emotions that had been building inside her since they arrived at the hospital. But before she could take another step, she felt a hand on her arm, gentle but firm.
“Jamie, wait.”
She froze. It would’ve been so easy to step closer, to close the gap between them, but Jamie pulled away, retreating as always, even when her body screamed at her to stay.
Jamie didn’t trust herself to look at Beth right now, not when her emotions were so raw and exposed. She’d told Beth to choose Sarah, which was exactly what she had done. Once again, Amanda was right. She had gotten in her own way, and this time, so much so that she drove Beth right into someone else’s arms. Her stomach flipped. But Beth didn’t give her a choice—she stepped in front of Jamie, looking into her eyes.
“Thank you,” Beth said, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve been amazing with Lily. And with me. I...” She trailed off, her gaze searching Jamie’s face for anything that might make sense of the complicated mess between them.
Jamie broke the eye contact first, her throat tight. “I’m just doing my job,” she said again, the words a lie she didn’t believe anymore.
Beth’s hand lingered for a second longer before she slowly let go. “Right,” she said softly. “Your job.”
Jamie nodded, unable to meet her eyes, and turned away again. She walked down the sterile hospital hallway, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the empty space. As she left, her heart ached in a way she hadn’t expected even though every part of her was screaming to give Beth something more tangible. But again, she had pulled away and kept her distance.
It was easier that way, she lied to herself.
But deep down, she wasn’t sure she believed it.
THIRTEEN
BETH
The kitchen buzzed with Friday night energy. Lily’s laughter bounced off the walls as she danced barefoot, belting out the lyrics to the music playing. Beth laughed as she stirred the sauce, the air filled with the rich smell of garlic and tomatoes. Across the room, Sarah spun, wooden spoon in hand acting as a stand-in microphone, laughing as she pretended to sing along.
It was nights like these that she really felt that feeling—like their family had finally healed.
Beth could feel it in how Sarah’s hand brushed hers as they moved in and out of the small kitchen space. They worked together effortlessly, passing ingredients, teasing each other about who had better taste in music, laughing like they hadn’t missed a beat. Yet, as much as she enjoyed the comfort of this routine, it felt flat. Familiar, but empty. With Sarah, things were always safe and predictable. But with Jamie, even silence crackled with possibility.
Lily twirled back toward the table, setting down plates with a flourish as the song finished. Beth watched as Sarah paused, leaning against the counter and looking from her to their daughter. Catching her eye, Sarah flashed her a smile, her hazel eyes twinkling under the glow of the kitchen lights. Sarah hadalways been exceptionally beautiful, and age had only enhanced that beauty. Her strong jawline and high cheekbones made her every expression feel confident and assured.
“So,” Sarah said, her tone casual but with an underlying excitement Beth immediately clocked. “I have some news.”
Lily stopped mid-spin, narrowing her eyes in curiosity. “What news?”
Sarah grinned. “I bought a house. Here. On the island.” Sarah’s voice carried an excitement Beth hadn’t heard in years, the kind that made her gut twist.
Beth froze, her fingers tightening on the spoon.A house? Here?She glanced at Lily, but Lily’s expression was blank, as if she were waiting for permission to react.
“Why would you do that?” Lily asked, her tone quiet and serious.
Sarah blinked, clearly not expecting that reaction from Lily. “Because it’ll make things easier, Lil. No more ferry rides back and forth. And we can do more of this.” She gestured between them. “Family dinners and hanging out together.” Sarah looked at Beth now, silently begging for backup. Backup Beth wasn’t about to give. Instead, she slowly stirred the simmering sauce.
Lily’s frown only deepened. “I don’t get it. We’re fine how we are. I like how things are.”
Tension rippled in the air, quickly replacing the joy from moments before, and her own frustration began to simmer beneath her skin. Once again, Sarah had made a decision that would affect all of them without seeking anyone’s input beyond her own. She swallowed the rising irritation, knowing this conversation would go somewhere uncomfortable.
Sarah, however, seemed perplexed. “Lil, we’d be able to see each other more often. You don’t want that?”
Lily groaned, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s not about seeing each other.”
“Okay, then what is it about, sweetie?” Sarah asked, trying to get Lily to talk.
For a moment, Lily didn’t say anything as she glanced nervously from Sarah to Beth, then back to Sarah. “I like how things are right now, and I don’t want that to change. And...” She gestured with her arms between the two of them. “. . . I don’t think you guys should get back together.” Lily glanced between them, her brow furrowed. “You’re both happier this way,” Lily said, crossing her arms. “I don’t have to worry about you guys fighting or feeling like I’m always stuck in the middle. I like it better—like, way better.”
That caught Beth off guard, and apparently Sarah, too, as her face shifted from concern to shock.