Page 2 of Steel Beauty

She pauses, looking around the room, her eyes softening. “You’ve all helped build something truly special here—an elite service where we prioritize genuine, soul-deep partnerships over superficial nonsense. And trust me, that’s rare these days.”

Rare as rocking-horse manure.

Gabby continues, “We’re not just matching people. We’re changing people’s lives, and that’s because of you.”

She’s right. Finding something real in a world of shallow connections and fleeting encounters is like stumbling upon a rose among briars.

The irony isn’t lost on me, though—working for a company dedicated to helping people find deep connections while I’ve only ever had fleeting, surface-level relationships myself.

The mood lightens as she cracks a grin. “And if I can survive launching a company fueled mostly by caffeine and blind optimism, I think we can handle whatever comes next.”

A ripple of nods and smiles spreads through the room as her words sink in.

“Speaking of what comes next… as you all know, Soul Sync has been testing the waters internationally. We’ve received news that our beta test in Australia is successful. We’ve officially landed clients down under.”

A round of applause erupts, and I clap along. Soul Sync’s expansion to Australia is huge, and the excitement in the room is undeniable.

Gabby beams, waiting for the applause to die down. “This is a huge win for us, but the real challenge starts now—delivering our services on the other side of the world. We’re talking about building a sister company from the ground up: designing entire matchmaking sets, coordinating events, and managing client experiences in a brand-new market.”

She pauses, her gaze sweeping the room. “I need volunteers for a three-month assignment in Sydney. This is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to help shape the future of Soul Sync. Please understand––you will be leaving home and living out of hotels while you’re building something new from the ground up. Your responsibilities will include overseeing installations, working directly with clients, and ensuring that every detail runs smoothly. This is your chance to be part of something truly monumental.”

I glance around, noticing the hesitant faces. This is a big ask—three months away from home, working in a high-pressure environment. But for me, it feels like exactly what I need. I love a challenge, and the thought of leading set designs in an entirely new market has my mind racing with possibilities. A new city, new people, a chance to prove myself and focus on my work—no distractions.

And no matchmaking or blind dates I didn’t ask for.

But best of all? No constant feedback from Macy. She’s excellent at what she does, but we always have to collaborate on set designs, which means compromises. I wonder what it would be like to have full creative control, to bring my ideas to life without running every decision by someone else. This Sydney assignment could be my chance to do precisely that.

Besides, Sydney? Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to work there for three months?

Gabby continues, “I know some of you have families or commitments that might make this difficult, and that’s completely understandable. We need people who are flexible and ready to take on the challenge.”

Without hesitating, I raise my hand. “I’ll go. The other set designers are married, and I’m single. This is the perfect opportunity for me.”

Gabby smiles. “Thank you, Magnolia. I knew I could count on you.”

From the corner of my eye, I catch Macy’s reaction. Her lips press into a tight line, and she adjusts her posture, crossing her arms. The slight narrowing of her eyes is all I need to see to know that she’s not thrilled about me stepping up for this. She’s never liked it when I get a bit of the spotlight.

I feel Violet’s eyes on me, and when I turn, she’s smiling, her raised eyebrow saying it all—she’s proud of me, maybe even a little impressed. The look says,I knew you had it in you.

I wish she could come too. Violet would be the perfect person to share this adventure with—her sharp wit and calm presence would make any high-pressure situation bearable. But it’s not possible. Not with her mom battling cancer. Violet wouldn’t leave her mom’s side for anything, not even an opportunity like this. She’s the kind of daughter who’d drop everything to be there for her family, and honestly, I admire her for it.

Elijah’s hand shoots up next. “I’ll go too. Magnolia and I work well together.”

Great. Just what I need.

Elijah has been hovering around me for months, always finding excuses to stick close—offering to carry materials, hanging around after meetings, and dropping hints about grabbing dinner. It’s obvious what he wants, but I’m not interested. Not in him, and certainly not like that. He tries too hard, always grinning like he’s auditioning for a toothpaste commercial.

Don’t get me wrong. Elijah’s nice, but his persistence is smothering. I feel like I need a personal bubble to breathe around him.

Gabby nods. “Thank you, Elijah. Your skills will be a valuable addition to the team. We are going to need all the help we can get.”

Sophie and Whitney, who handle client experience, raise their hands next.

They’re both sharp, hardworking, and—like me—single. If anyone could make this trip productive and fun, it’s them. We’ve always worked well together, and I’m already imagining the late-night brainstorming sessions turning into laughter-filled conversations over a bottle of wine. Or three. There’s a sense of camaraderie among us, an unspoken understanding that we’ve got each other’s backs.

Soul Sync has its pressures, but the women here—mostly—are a team. There’s no cattiness, no competition—only support. I’m hopeful this assignment will be a career boost and a chance to make some unforgettable memories with Sophie and Whitney along the way.

Gabby’s gaze settles on me. “Magnolia, you’ll be leading the set designs, but would you consider also serving as a social coordinator with Rebecca’s help? She’ll be assisting remotely from the U.S. You would have her support, even from a distance.”

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