Page 50 of Balancing Act (Soulmate #1)

“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 defined bounds.

“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 that only 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.

Beth set the phone down and turned on her stool to face Jamie. She rested her hands on Jamie’s thighs, rubbing gently.

“You didn’t tell me you gave Lily your number,” she said softly, her surprise evident in her tone.

Jamie’s face fell slightly. “Oh, yeah. Sorry, I probably should’ve asked first. I didn’t mean to overstep or anything. I just figured—I’m sorry.”

Beth cut her off with a kiss, the warmth of Jamie’s care for Lily hitting her in full force. It wasn’t about the phone number; it was about how naturally Jamie had woven herself into their lives, how easy it felt.

“What was that for?” Jamie asked, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Because you’re amazing,” Beth whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. “You didn’t overstep. I just wasn’t expecting Lily to bring you into our little traditions so naturally or easily. It caught me off guard. In a good way.”

Jamie leaned in to kiss Beth’s temple before pulling back. “I get it. She’s your world. And I’m looking forward to being a part of it. But I know she always comes first.”

Beth laughed softly. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. We take our gingerbread houses very seriously.”

“If she wants me to judge your gingerbread house contest, I’m in. Bring it on. I’m a tough judge.”

She pulled Jamie into another kiss. It was slower this time, softer. A kiss that said all the things she hadn’t found the words for yet, or at least she hoped it did.

“I hate to ruin the moment,” Jamie said, after they finally pulled apart, “but I need to get on the road to make the next ferry.” A glint of something—reluctance maybe—flashed across Jamie’s features, and Beth’s heart squeezed a little at the thought of Jamie leaving, even if it was only for a few weeks.

“I wish you didn’t have to go,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around Jamie’s waist.

“I know, but I’ll be back soon. We’ll keep talking, keep figuring things out.”

“We will,” she said softly, her fingers brushing Jamie’s cheek.

“I meant what I said. I’m in this, Beth. I just need a little time.”

“I trust you,” she whispered, as she held Jamie’s gaze, fingers tightening briefly, reluctant to let go.

“I trust you, too,” Jamie said, stepping back, eyes flicking between where she stood and the door. “I’ll call you when I get home,” she promised.

Beth watched Jamie’s van disappear down the icy road, a knot of sadness and anticipation coiling tightly in her chest. They’d see each other in a few weeks, but that didn’t help the feeling of already missing her after having Jamie all to herself the past few days.

She wanted to believe that Jamie’s promise that she was “in this” was real, that patience would be enough to hold them steady.

But at this point, only time would tell.