Page 82 of Balancing Act
Jamie’s shoulders relaxed a little, her fingers still intertwined with Beth’s, as if holding on to her was making all this easier. “Thank you,” she whispered graciously.
The trust in Jamie’s voice hit her. This was a tentative step forward, a willingness to let Beth in, even if only a little at a time.
“I know conversations like these aren’t that fun or sexy, but this is helping me understand you better. For me, I’m someone who likes commitment. I find a lot of comfort in labels.” Shepaused, searching Jamie’s face for any flicker of resistance, but Jamie’s expression stayed open, listening.
“The last few weeks, they’ve only confirmed my feelings. That the feelings I have for you are real—and strong. I’d love to be able to call you my girlfriend, one day, but that doesn’t have to be right now.” Beth’s voice faltered momentarily, and she glanced down at the mug, her fingers tracing the rim. “I feel kind of crazy even saying this because I know it’s only been a few weeks since our first date. But, honestly, it feels like we’ve been building toward this thing since our first night together, when we met back in September. And at first, I didn’t realize what was happening, but...” Beth’s gaze drifted to the window, remembering that night—how Jamie had seemed like a whirlwind, so different from anyone she’d ever known. “I felt a spark that night,” Beth said quietly, pulse fluttering. “I feel it every time I’m near you.”
Jamie was quiet for a beat, and Beth could see the gears turning in her mind and the careful way she processed her words. Her brow furrowed slightly, eyes cast down as she absently traced the edge of her coffee cup with her fingertip. Beth’s stomach tightened. The last time things had gotten serious over coffee, Jamie had bolted. Was she itching to run again now?
Jamie exhaled softly and looked up, her deep brown eyes locking onto Beth’s with an intensity that blanketed her in a sense of calm.
“I feel it, too,” Jamie started, her voice low but steady. “But I also think we still have a lot to talk about. There’s so much we’re still figuring out, and I don’t want to pretend we have it all worked out yet.”
Beth nodded, the knot of uncertainty coiled tightly inside her loosening. She appreciated Jamie’s honesty, even if some of her still longed for the security of having more clearly definedbounds. “I get that. I know this has all happened fast—faster than I expected. But every moment with you feels right.”
Jamie’s dark eyes searched hers, as if trying to see through her. “One day soon, I’d love to hear you call me your girlfriend. Because I’m so in this, Beth. For real. Promise me we’ll keep talking and figure things out as we go.”
One day soon.It was a promise—Jamie wasn’t pulling away; she wasn’t hesitating out of fear of the relationship. If anything, Jamie was leaning into it, but in her own thoughtful, cautious way. And that, Beth realized, was part of what made her fall so hard for Jamie in the first place. Her carefulness, her intentionality. She didn’t want to rush anything, not because she didn’t care, but because she cared so much.
Beth felt a warm smile spread across her face, a sense of lightness settling in her chest. “I promise,” she teased gently, her voice softer now, the tension of the morning fading. She could live with this for now—a mutual, label-free commitment—right now, that was enough for her.
Jamie’s eyes twinkled with that playful glint Beth had come to adore. “Good,” Jamie replied, squeezing her hand before standing up. “Now, how do you feel about pancakes? I’m starving. Someone had me working up quite the appetite last night.”
Beth laughed, the sound bubbling up naturally as she let go of the last bit of her earlier anxiety. “Pancakes sound perfect.”
They moved together, brushing shoulders and exchanging quiet smiles as they worked, each touch and glance reinforcing the comfort between them. Beth grabbed the mixing bowl from the cabinet while Jamie rummaged through the fridge for eggs and milk.
As they worked in tandem, the clinks of bowls and utensils blended with the soft hum of the storm outside. She stole a glance at Jamie—she had a streak of flour on her cheek, but thatonly sent a heat through her. It was a simple moment, domestic in its ease, but something about it made Beth’s chest swell with affection.
Eventually, the storm passed, leaving behind a world encased in ice. A few days later, the roads had cleared, and the ferry was running again, signaling that Jamie’s time on the island had ended—for now.
Beth stood by the window, watching Jamie pack the last of her things. The sun was weak, glinting off the icy branches like tiny diamonds. The world outside was still, in stark contrast to the swirl of emotions that coursed through her.
Her phone rang from its spot on the small table in the foyer as Jamie stepped back inside.
“It’s Lily,” Beth said, glancing at the screen.
Jamie smiled. “You take that. I’ve got a few more things to pack.” She leaned in to quickly kiss Beth’s cheek before heading upstairs.
Beth answered the call, walking into the kitchen. “Hi, love. How’s Grandma’s?”
“Hi, Mom! It’s been so fun! We went skiing yesterday—well, me, Mom, Logan, and Finn. Grandma hung out in the lodge with Aunt Molly and the baby. And guess what? We went to the Christmas market after, and I totally won a snowball fight against the boys!”
Beth laughed as she listened to Lily’s excited chatter. Jamie walked past, backpack slung over her shoulder, giving Beth a playful wink as she headed out to the van again. Beth blushed and waved her by as she continued talking to Lily.
“And I’m excited for our Christmas, too,” Lily added. “This has been fun, but I can’t wait for the gingerbread house contest. Maybe Jamie can judge this year? She gave me her number and said I could text her whenever.”
Beth paused, caught off guard by the way Lily had so effortlessly brought Jamie into their world—in to their traditions. She wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about it. On the one hand, Lily and Jamie already had a relationship through Jamie’s coaching of Lily over the last few months, and that had been such a positive bond for her daughter, but was Jamie ready for possibly more of a relationship with Lily beyond what they already had? Was that something she was even interested in?
“Did she now?” Beth said, her tone a little cautious.
“Yeah! She said I could text her anytime, not just about gymnastics. About anything,” Lily confirmed.
Jamie returned inside, brushing the cold from her jacket and sliding into the chair beside Beth.
“We’ll talk more about it soon, okay, love?”
“Fine. But I’m telling you, she said I could. Mama, I gotta go! The boys are attacking me with Nerf guns. Love you!” The line clicked dead with the sound of chaos in the background.