Page 119 of Steel Beauty

The playful energy fades as we drift toward the falls, the mist surrounding us, cool and sparkling. I reach for her hand and pull her close, the quiet between us deepening. She meets my gaze, her face framed by the dappled light breaking through the spray.

Gently, I tuck a wet strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers hovering.

For a moment, the world narrows to this—the sound of the falls, the rhythm of our breathing, the unspoken connection hanging in the air.

“I’ve never brought a woman here before.”

“To this waterfall?”

I shake my head. “To Samoa.”

“Not even Celeste?”

“Especiallynot Celeste. This place—my family, my culture—it’s who I am, and I didn’t want to share it with someone who wouldn’t understand.” My hand finds hers beneath the water. “Because with you, it’s different. I don’t have to explain or worry you’ll see yourself as above it. You just… get it.”

Her fingers tighten around mine, her smile soft and sincere. “Thank you for trusting me with this, Alex. I love being here.”

The water flows around us, but all I feel is her hand in mine, steadying me. “We haven’t known each other long, but I swear, you know me better than anyone ever has.”

Her smile shifts, touched by something deeper. “I see you, Alex—all of you. And I love every part.”

I lean in, resting my forehead against hers. Our breaths mingle, the quiet between us thick with unspoken emotion. The world blurs, leaving only the steady rush of the falls and the gentle beat of her pulse beneath my hand.

When my lips meet hers, it’s slow and deliberate, a kiss meant to convey everything I can’t put into words. It’s tender, unhurried—a silent promise. In this moment, nothing else exists. Just her. Just us.

When we pull apart, her eyes hold a softness that stirs something deep in my chest. I smile and swim back, diving beneath the cool water.

Resurfacing, I spot a delicate flower floating nearby. I catch it, returning to her to tuck it behind her ear.

“Perfect.” I’m struck by how naturally she fits here, as though this place has been waiting for her all along.

Her fingers graze the flower, her smile bright and unguarded. “I never want to forget this moment.”

“Neither do I.”

We drift in the water until we both prune. Here, in this hidden oasis, nothing else matters—no expectations, no plans.

We eventually climb out and settle on a blanket near the edge of the pool. I unpack the small picnic I brought and hand her a slice of mango. She takes a bite, her eyes closing as the sweet juice drips on to her lips.

“This is relaxing,” I say, watching her. “No phones. No deadlines. Just us.”

Magnolia leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “Very peaceful.”

She glances up, her eyes holding a quiet intensity, like we’re both quietly acknowledging the shift between us—something neither of us names but both feel.

We lie back on the blanket, side by side, the sound of the waterfall filling the stillness around us. My arm slips around her, her head finding its place on my shoulder.

Sunlight dances across the rippling water, and her fingers thread through mine, fitting so naturally it’s like they were always meant to. She doesn’t say a word, but her touch speaks of everything we’re both holding close, everything unspoken.

I glance at our joined hands, my thumb rubbing her knuckles. This isn’t just a moment—it’s something bigger, something I’ll carry with me long after we leave this place.

The steady rhythm of the falls surrounds us as we sit together, letting the quiet stretch. But faint laughter filters through the trees, growing louder with each step. I glance up, already recognizing the unmistakable energy of my siblings and cousins.

She laughs. “Well… so much for our private moment. Looks like the family fa’aaloalo squad is out in full force today. Not a chance at fooling around.”

I squeeze her hand lightly. “At least we had a little time before they found us.”

The clearing bursts into life as my family arrives. My brothers head straight for the cliff, their eyes lighting up as they size it up, clearly planning their next jump.

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