Page 64 of Balancing Act (Soulmate #1)

Jamie blinked. She’s tougher than I was at her age , she thought.

It wasn’t toughness, though—it was quieter.

Lily had a calmness, a self-assuredness that Jamie had always struggled to find as a teenager.

Where Jamie’s drive had been fueled by fear of failure, fear of disappointing others, fear of missing her time, Lily’s drive seemed rooted in something more substantial: her belief in herself.

“All right,” Jamie said, stepping back to give her space, pointing to the beam. “But this time, I want you to add the aerial before the layout stepout. You’ve been practicing it on the low beam for weeks; it’s time to see how it feels in the full routine.”

Lily’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, Jamie thought she might push back. “That’s a huge jump in difficulty,” Lily said, her voice measured.

“It is,” Jamie agreed. “But you can handle it.”

Lily wavered, glancing at the beam as if measuring it against herself. Jamie could practically see the thoughts racing through her mind—the doubt, the calculations, the what-ifs.

“I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t think you were ready,” Jamie added, her tone softer now. “But it’s your call. I trust you to decide.”

That did it. Lily’s expression shifted, the uncertainty fading as determination took its place. She nodded once, lips pressing into a focused line.

Jamie stepped back again, giving her the room she needed. She watched as Lily chalked her hands, preparing herself. There was no rush, no sign of the nervousness that had plagued her in earlier competitions. When Lily stepped onto the beam, her posture was confident, almost regal.

The gym seemed to quiet as Lily began her routine. Movements precise, her rhythm fluid as she flowed from one element to the next. When she reached the aerial, Jamie’s body tensed instinctively as if she were the one about to attempt it.

Lily soared, her body arcing gracefully through the air before landing with a slight wobble. But she recovered instantly, her focus unbroken as she continued into the layout stepout. By the time she reached the dismount, her momentum was perfect, her full twist sticking solidly to the mat.

The gym erupted into scattered applause from other gymnasts and coaches who had stopped to watch. Lily turned, her face flushed with exertion but glowing with satisfaction.

Jamie couldn’t help but grin. “Now that,” she said, walking over, “is how you separate yourself from the pack.”

Lily’s smile widened, her confidence radiating. “It felt good,” she admitted, brushing chalk off her thighs. “A little scary, but good.”

Jamie nodded, resting a hand on her shoulder. “That’s how it’s supposed to feel. The good stuff? It’s always a little scary at first.”

Lily prepared for another pass as Jamie crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall, a faint smile on her lips that quickly faded when she felt her phone buzzing with an incoming text.

Beth 6:15 PM

Hey, you left me hanging there. I know you need space, but I’d like to talk more about what happened earlier.

As Jamie tucked her phone away, still avoiding Beth’s text, she heard the telltale click of dress heels against the polished floors beyond the metal doors.

She glanced up as Sarah entered, scanning the space with her usual calm precision.

She always seemed a little out of place here—dressed in business attire while the rest of the gym was all movement, chalk dust, and athletic gear.

But Sarah carried herself like someone who had never once felt out of place anywhere.

Jamie straightened slightly, nodding in greeting. “Hey,” she said, keeping her tone casual. “Lily’s finishing up a routine. She’ll be ready in a minute.”

Sarah nodded, her eyes glancing to where Lily was at the chalk bin. A smile flickered across her face before she turned back to Jamie. “She looks good.”

“She is looking really good,” Jamie agreed. “In great shape for Kansas City next weekend.”

Sarah hummed in agreement. “She trusts you,” she said, a simple statement that landed heavily on Jamie.

Jamie glanced over, brow furrowing slightly at Sarah’s tone. There was something measured about it, deliberate almost. She knew Sarah well enough now to know that Sarah wasn’t the type of person to waste her words. Before she could question it, Sarah shifted gears.

“Beth mentioned you two had a conversation recently,” she said casually.

Jamie stiffened slightly. “Did she?”

Sarah nodded as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “She said she asked you to move in.”

Jamie felt her stomach churn. Of course Beth had told Sarah. Jamie knew that. It made sense. Lily was part of this, and Sarah had a right to know. But hearing it out loud made Jamie uneasy. She hadn’t been ready to talk about it then and wasn’t sure she was ready now.

“She did,” Jamie said carefully.

Sarah glanced at her, expression unreadable. “Big step.”

“Yeah.” Jamie huffed a quiet laugh.

Sarah nodded again, pausing before saying, “Beth doesn’t rush into things. But once she knows what she wants? She doesn’t let go easily.”

Jamie swallowed. “I know.”

Sarah tilted her head slightly. “That’s what makes her easy to love,” she mused, as she examined her perfectly manicured nails. “And hard to lose if you mess it up.”

Jamie stilled. The words weren’t pointed, not exactly. They weren’t a warning or a judgment. Just an observation. A neutral statement left to hang in the air and settle wherever it was meant to land.

She shifted her weight, suddenly feeling like Sarah was looking straight through her.

Before Jamie could find a response, Sarah glanced back toward the beam. “Lily’s lucky to have you here,” she said. “She needed someone who thinks like her. That was never me or Beth.”

Jamie, relieved at the change in subject, nodded. “Yeah. I was her once so I get it.”

Sarah nodded, pausing. “I know. And you turned out alright.”

Jamie snorted, shaking her head. “Debatable, but thank you.”

Sarah smirked slightly. “You did and I’m not in the nature of doling out compliments, so take that for what it is,” she said, her tone quieter now.

Then, as smoothly as she had arrived, she straightened, shifting back into that lawyer-like composure.

“I’ll get out of your way. Just wanted to check in. ”

Jamie nodded once, watching as Sarah turned toward Lily, who had finished her set and was walking over.

“Ready?” Sarah asked.

Lily nodded, pulling on her sweatshirt. “Yeah. Can we stop for food on the way home?”

Sarah glanced at Jamie. “Want to come?”

Jamie hesitated but shook her head. “I’m good. You two go ahead.”

Sarah didn’t push. She gave a simple nod before looking at Jamie one last time. “See you around.”

“Bye, Jamie! I’ll call you and Mom tonight before bed.” Lily waved as she and Sarah headed toward the exit.

Jamie let out a long sigh as she watched them go, Sarah’s words still circling in her mind: Beth doesn’t rush. That’s what makes her easy to love. And hard to lose.

Jamie didn’t think Sarah had meant it as a warning.

But it felt like one.