Page 90 of Balancing Act
“I’m done with all the secrets, Beth,” she’d said, as she sipped from her beer. “I don’t want any more of them.”
That thought had eaten at Beth in the few weeks since their trip. And she knew exactly why. Her phone chimed, breaking her thoughts.
Jamie 11:23 AM
Hey, you! I hope you’re having a good day. I’ve got some exciting news I can’t wait to share. I’m wrapping up a few things, but I’ll call you in a little if you’re free.
Beth 11:24 AM
I’d love that. I’m home and just painting, so call whenever.
Exciting news, Jamie had said. She wondered what it could be. Beth sighed as she studied the next blank canvas.Secrets.The word echoed in her head. Jamie didn’t want any more secrets, but she was still one to the people Beth cared about most—her family.
She picked up her paintbrush again, but her focus was scattered. It was time. Time to tell Sarah about her and Jamie. She had thought that thought alone would fill her with dread, but no, she felt rooted in her decision.
Sarah will understand, she told herself. They’d made a promise, after everything they’d been through over the years—to respect each other’s happiness, whatever form it took. She could trust that, couldn’t she? She hoped she could.
This will be fine, she thought as she swept her brush across the canvas in a long, fluid move, the bristles splaying out in all directions.Sarah will be happy for me. She wants me to be happy.
The phone buzzed again, pulling her back. Beth picked it up, a grin already pulling at her lips.
“Hey!” she answered, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice but not quite succeeding.
“Hey yourself.” Jamie’s voice was warm and familiar, and she practically melted into it. “What’re you up to?”
“Finishing up the last of the commissioned pieces for that new research center downtown. Dropped Lily off early at the gym, so I figured I’d make the most of a quiet morning.”
“Sounds productive. Is now a good time? I don’t want to interrupt your creative flow.” Beth found herself momentarily taken aback by Jamie’s thoughtfulness. “I do have some pretty exciting news, though,” she coaxed.
Okay, her curiosity was definitely piqued. “Now’s a great time. I’m all ears.”
“You know how I’ve been chatting with Shannon York about that venture company she’s starting, right? The one geared toward investing in women’s sports and amplifying female athlete’s stories?”
“Yeah,” Beth said, the conversation coming back to her. “Last you mentioned, you were intrigued but hesitant.”
“Exactly. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought, and the more I think about it, the more excited I feel about the work and the opportunity. I met with Shannon this morning and told her I’m all in on Empwr Ventures,” Jamie said, her tone nearly bubbling over as she continued. “You’re talking to the soon-to-be head of the Athlete Ventures Program.” Jamie paused for dramatic effect.
Beth could hear the eagerness fused to her every word, and she couldn’t help but give into the swell of pride she felt for Jamie. At nearly every turn they’d faced in their time together, albeit short, Jamie had actively taken steps toward a shared life with her. And Beth still felt the need to pinch herself, to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. Three months ago, Jamie had stood in her living room so full of fear, so closed off to the idea of the future, and it broke her heart.
But then Beth had seen the tiny flicker within Jamie, that part of her that wanted something other than a life of fear, and Beth couldn’t help but want to nurture that part of her.
“That sounds very official. What exactly does the head of the Athlete Ventures Program at Empwr Ventures do?”
“Not a clue,” Jamie quipped. “I’m still working with Shannon to flesh that out. However, I would be focusing on the branch of Empwr that would help professional athletes navigate career transitions. And a big part of that would be leading the Empwr program that invests in female-athlete-led businesses.”
“Wait, investing? I thought you were going to do more, like, spokesperson work?”
She could hear Jamie’s smile in her voice. “I’m more than a pretty face, Beth. It’s time I put my MBA to good use.”
“How did I not know you have an MBA?” Beth mused, racking her brain for some snippet of a conversation where Jamie might have mentioned this detail.
“There’s a lot you still don’t know about me.” Jamie’s playful words drifted through the phone. “But don’t worry, we have all the time in the world to keep getting to know each other.”
All the time in the world.That sentence settled on Beth comfortably.
“There’s one kind of big thing, though,” Jamie continued. Beth could tell she was pausing for dramatic effect. “Shannon got traded to Puget Sound Pride. So, instead of Portland being the headquarters, Empwr Ventures will be based in Seattle. I’m considering renting out my place in Oregon and moving up there to make things easier for the launch. You know—less travel, more stability, and the opportunity to be a little closer to this beautiful artist I happen to be seeing...”
Her cheeks flushed at the thought of Jamie being nearby again. A mix of excitement and nervousness welled up in her. If this was exactly what she had wanted—to have Jamie closer—why was she feeling like that same want suddenly had the power to upend everything they’d worked for? But her excitement was stronger. She tried to keep it hidden but failed as it spilled overher words. “Wow, you weren’t kidding! This is huge news. What made you decide to go for it?”