Page 62 of Balancing Act (Soulmate #1)

Beth smiled, sinking into Jamie’s embrace as their breathing evened out.

The word still lingered in her mind: girlfriend.

It felt impossibly big and yet so simple, so natural, like everything else about Jamie.

As she closed her eyes, resting her head against Jamie’s, Beth let herself settle into the quiet certainty of this moment—of them.

Beth stirred awake the next morning, stretching lazily, her hand instinctively reaching for the spot beside her.

It was empty, and the sheets were cool to the touch.

But, unlike the first time she’d woken to an empty bed after Jamie had stayed over, panic didn’t set in.

Instead, a small smile tugged at her lips as the faint aroma of coffee drifted up from downstairs, accompanied by the soft hum of music.

She threw on a sweatshirt and followed the delicious smells, the rhythm of her steps slow and unhurried as she made her way to the stairs. Halfway down, she paused, taking in the sight below.

Jamie was in the kitchen, completely at ease as she moved between the stove and the counter.

She knew exactly where everything was and seemed to glide effortlessly through the space.

A Taylor Swift song played softly from her phone on the windowsill, the cheerful melody filling the air.

Beth couldn’t quite place the song, but Jamie was humming along, the faintest smile curving her lips as she worked.

She had a dish towel slung casually over her shoulder, her hair pulled into a messy ponytail, exuding a level of lived-in comfort as she moved around the space.

She felt a tug in her chest at the sight—she liked having Jamie around.

Jamie turned, reaching for the spatula on the counter, her eyes landing on Beth, lingering at the edge of the staircase.

A grin immediately broke across Jamie’s features, brown eyes lighting up in that way that always seemed spread to her. “Hey, you.” She smiled. “Morning.” Her voice was warm and sounded like it carried the weight of a hundred quiet good-mornings yet to come.

“Morning,” Beth replied, softer than she usually did as she took the last few steps into the kitchen. She leaned against the counter, content to watch Jamie for another moment. “What’s all this?”

Jamie gestured toward the stove with a flourish. “I was planning on bringing you breakfast in bed,” she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. “But then you went and ruined the surprise.”

Beth crossed her arms, dawning a playful pout.

“I’m the one who ruined the surprise? Who’s to say I didn’t have a surprise of my own waiting for you upstairs?

” She slipped her arms around Jamie’s waist, her chin resting on her shoulder.

“I promise you would have liked it,” she whispered, giving Jamie a quick squeeze.

She relished in Jamie’s hum of amusement as she stirred the contents of a pan.

“I know I would have liked it, and trust me, I’m open to all surprises of that specific variety.

But today, I’ve got you covered. And since you’re here now, I’d like to invite you to have breakfast with me.

” She reached for a plate and began assembling what appeared to be scrambled eggs, toast, and a side of perfectly crisp bacon.

Beth swiped a piece of bacon before Jamie could stop her. “This is very domestic of you,” she teased, crunching loudly.

Jamie rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “I’ve seen what you usually eat for breakfast. Coffee and a Pop-Tart is no way to start the day.”

“It’s not my fault they make them so addictive.” Beth giggled as she leaned back against the counter, watching Jamie as she worked. “So, what’s the plan for today?”

Jamie handed her the loaded plate, leaning her hip against the counter as she looked at Beth. “I’m going to swing by the gym for a bit. Lily wants help with a few things, and I promised her I’d be there.”

Beth’s heart tugged at the mention of Jamie prioritizing Lily again. Even after spending the weekend with her, Jamie was still carving out time to support her. It was impossible not to admire how naturally Jamie had slipped into Lily’s life.

“And after that?” Beth asked, keeping her tone casual.

Jamie hesitated, wiping her hands on the dish towel before meeting her gaze. “I’m going to get the keys to Amanda’s apartment from her while I’m at the gym. I figured I’d start moving some of my boxes over there this afternoon.”

Beth’s stomach lurched as she worked to keep her expression neutral. She knew Jamie planned to stay with Amanda temporarily while she searched for her own place. She forced a smile. “Right. That sounds like a good plan,” she said lightly.

Jamie studied her quietly for a moment before moving on, choosing—Beth assumed—not to say whatever was on her mind. A flash of sadness accompanied that realization. A part of her wished Jamie would acknowledge the shift in the air between them.

The thought of Jamie moving her things into Amanda’s spare room instead of into Beth’s house sat uncomfortably on her mind. She knew this had been Jamie’s plan all along. They had talked about her needing her own space, but it didn’t feel right anymore.

Jamie belonged here. With her.

The clatter of forks and knives against their plates filled the room as they ate, and Beth tried not to think about the question she was burning to ask Jamie.

Jamie tilted her head, studying her. “What about you? Any big plans for the day?”

Beth shrugged, trying to push away her earlier thoughts, but they still spun through her. “Mostly studio stuff. Cleaning, organizing, and shipping out a few prints. Nothing too exciting.”

Jamie smiled at her in a way that made Beth feel like Jamie could see right through her deflection but wasn’t going to call her on it.

“You know,” Beth found herself saying, “Lily is at Sarah’s until tomorrow. If you wanted to stay another night, you could.”

“You don’t say...” Jamie flashed her a grin. But Beth knew full well that Jamie already knew that. “Beth, I was always planning on coming back here tonight. Don’t worry.” She squeezed Beth’s hand gently as she stood to clear her plate.

Beth hesitated, her pulse suddenly loud in her ears.

If she was going to say it, it had to be now. She should tell Jamie that she could stay every night. Not just the ones that Lily wasn’t here. That Beth wanted to wake up and do this together every day forever with her.

Before she could convince herself otherwise, the words left her lips.

“Move in with me.”

Jamie, mid-motion, froze, her entire body tense.

Beth’s stomach dropped. Oh shit.

Jamie didn’t move for a second—too long of a second—before finally setting her plate down.

Beth swallowed. “I mean, you’re already here most nights, and you’re already lugging your stuff back and forth. And Lily—God, Jamie, she adores you. And I love the thought of doing this”—she motioned to the remnants of their shared breakfast—“every day with you.”

Jamie still wasn’t saying anything. God, why wasn’t she saying anything? Had she gone too far? Pushed too much? Had she completely misread where things were with the two of them?

Beth took a deep breath, trying to steady the nerves bubbling up. Jamie finally looked at her, and Beth felt like she might drown in in the silence.

Then Jamie ran a hand through her hair, sighing. “I’m not saying no,” she said carefully. “I just need to think about it.”

Her heart plummeted.

Not a no. But not a yes.

Beth nodded slowly, doing her best to push down the sting of disappointment.

Jamie must have seen it anyway, because she stepped closer, her voice gentler now. “Beth, it’s not that I don’t want to be here with you. It’s just—it’s a big step. And I want to make sure I’m doing it for the right reasons. Not just because it’s easier than moving in with Amanda.”

Beth blinked. “Jamie, do you really think I’d ask if I thought this was only about convenience?”

Jamie winced. “No, I know. That’s not what I meant.” A frustrated puff of breath left her as she rubbed at the back of her neck. “I’ve never done this before. Lived with someone like this. And you mean everything to me, and I—I really want to make sure I’m ready for that.”

They finished cleaning up the kitchen in silence, each lost in quiet thought.

Was this always going to be their dynamic?

Her reaching for more while Jamie slammed on the brakes?

When would she finally push Jamie too far?

She caught a puzzled expression on Jamie’s face as she stole a quick glance and couldn’t help but wonder where Jamie’s mind was right now.

“I’m going to head out,” Jamie said, after they had finished cleaning the kitchen. “Lily already texted me asking when I’d be at the gym.”

Beth trailed behind her as they entered the foyer, uncertain now if she should have even asked Jamie about moving in at all.

“Bye,” Jamie said, as she reached for the doorknob. “I love you.”

The words came from Jamie so effortlessly, so naturally, that it took a moment for both of them to process what had happened. Jamie froze, her hand hovering over the doorknob.

For a second, Beth thought she’d imagined it.

She blinked, heart slamming against her ribs.

I love you. Jamie had really said it—like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Suddenly, the floor that had felt so unsteady beneath her earlier was beginning to solidify.

Did Jamie realize what she’d said? Did she mean it?

Beth stared at her, searching her expression for any sign of hesitation, like she had seen earlier, but she only saw quiet certainty.

But how? “Did you...” she whispered, barely able to form the words. Taking a step closer.

Beth’s mind replayed the morning—the hesitation, the uncertainty. And yet, in this moment, there was no hesitation at all. And suddenly, Beth understood. Jamie wasn’t unsure of them. Just the step. But this—loving her—there was no fear in that.

Jamie turned slowly, her demeanor uncharacteristically nervous. “I did,” she said quietly, meeting Beth’s gaze.

Beth took a hesitant step forward, her pulse pounding in her ears. “Did you mean it?”

Jamie’s lips curved into the faintest smile. “I do,” she said, steady now. “I’ve known how I’ve felt for a while now, but...”

Beth didn’t let her finish. She was on Jamie instantly, her hands framing her face as she pressed her lips to hers.

Jamie stumbled, her back hitting the wall as Beth kissed her fiercely, pouring every ounce of emotion she felt into it.

She laughed, a little breathless from the kiss as she rested her forehead against Jamie’s.

Her chest felt full, too full, like she couldn’t contain everything she was feeling.

She’d imagined this moment before—wondered when or if Jamie would say those words—but nothing could have prepared her for how it felt. To hear it, to know Jamie meant it.

“I love you, too,” she whispered, her voice trembling around those four little words.

Jamie smiled, her hands settling on Beth’s hips as she tilted her head slightly, brushing her nose against Beth’s.

“Good,” she murmured. “Because I wasn’t planning on taking it back.

” Her smile faltered for a moment. “I still need to think about the moving-in thing,” she said softly, “but this?” She touched Beth’s cheek, thumb grazing over her skin. “This I’m sure about.”

Beth nodded, her heart aching in the best possible way. “That’s enough for now.”

She could wait. Jamie was already hers, and that was enough.