Page 81 of Steel Beauty

I grin, reading it aloud. “What does the ideal marriage look like to you?”

He pauses, his expression thoughtful as he considers his words. “For me, an ideal marriage would be a true partnership. Two people who are there for each other no matter what, through the good and the bad. Someone I can count on, who has my back, who I can laugh with and be myself around. No masks. Just real.”

He leans back, his words taking on a gentler edge as he continues. “I think an ideal marriage feels like home. It’s about loyalty and trust, where you don’t just love each other—you knoweach other, flaws and all. And you still choose each other every day. Supporting each other’s dreams, sticking together even when it’s not easy. A marriage should weather life’s storms and still come out stronger.”

His words settle in my mind, their clarity and sincerity striking something deep within me. The kind of relationship he’s describing feels almost too good to be real—built on trust, loyalty, and a partnership that endures through everything. It’s the kind of connection that would be incredible to have, to know someone that deeply and trust them completely.

“What about you? What’s your version of the perfect marriage?”

The question hits harder than I expect, his vision of marriage so beautiful yet so far from anything I’ve ever known. I take a breath, shifting slightly, trying to untangle my thoughts. “My ideal marriage––” I pause, the words feeling heavier than I thought they would. “Honestly, I don’t really know what a healthy marriage looks like.”

I glance down, shrugging lightly, a twinge of embarrassment creeping in. “I didn’t grow up seeing that. Maybe that’s why I’ve always struggled with the idea of getting married. I don’t have much to base it on.”

I exhale, looking up at him. “But I really like what you just described. I like it a lot actually. More than anything, I want to be with someone who feels like home.” I pause, taking a moment to find the right words. “And if I ever get married, I’d want to bevery married. All in, forever.”

“Very married. I like that.”

Our eyes meet, and for a moment, there’s a quiet understanding—something unspoken but deeply shared. I let myself imagine it—the kind of marriage he described, the kind that feels more like a fairy tale than real life. And yet, sitting here with him, it doesn’t feel so unattainable after all.

I shuffle the cards, glancing down at the next one. My eyebrows lift in surprise. “Okay, here’s a fun one. Or at least it’s supposed to be. What’s a humiliating moment you’ve experienced in the past?” I look up with a small smile. “Want to go first?”

He sighs, shaking his head with a wry smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Oh, that one’s easy. Without a doubt, it was that video my ex posted of me.”

I reach over and give his hand a quick squeeze. “Well, mine’s not exactly fun, either. Senior year of high school, Robin brought home this guy one night…” I trail off, feeling the familiar wave of embarrassment rise. “Which wasn’t unusual, by the way. Honestly, Robin’s a smoke show and always bringing guys home, so I didn’t think much of it at first. Except this time, it turned out he was my classmate. And not just any classmate—the boyIhad a massive crush on.”

His eyes widen, and he winces, already catching on. “What?”

“Oh, yes,” I say with a dry, humorless laugh. “And it gets worse. He recorded it and showed it to his friends. Naturally, word spread like wildfire. The next day, a ton of guys came up to me, asking if I fucked as good as my mom did.” I cringe, shaking my head at the memory. “It was mortifying. Even now, I could crawl into a hole thinking about it.”

His jaw tightens, disbelief and anger flashing across his face. “Is that legal in the U.S.?”

“Immoral and humiliating? Absolutely. But illegal? No,” I shrug. “He was eighteen, so they were both consenting adults.”

He watches me, the anger fading into something softer. “I’m really sorry that happened to you.”

“It’s still embarrassing. Bad enough that I skipped my high school reunion—not that I had any desire to see those assholes again.”

I glance at the next card, then up at him with a playful grin. “Another one?”

He shrugs, leaning back with an easy smile. “Why not? Keep going.”

I pull the card and read it aloud, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

He pauses, his gaze growing thoughtful. “In five years… I’d like to be married. Hopefully with a couple of kids—maybe a third on the way if it’s what my wife wants. Content with life, you know? Just settled and happy.”

The sincerity in his words makes something flutter in my chest, and for a moment, I watch him, absorbing his words before he turns his attention to me. “What about you?”

“It’s hard to say. Maybe I’m married, maybe I’m not. Maybe I’m a mom, maybe I’m not. It’s tough to picture myself five years down the road.”

He studies me. “Would you get married if the right man came into your life?”

“Absolutely. I’m not against marriage, but I’m also not chasing it. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too. I’m enough as I am on my own.”

“Yes, you are.”

I slide the last card back into the deck. “Okay, I think that’s enough of the heavy stuff for now.”

“Agreed. But I have to admit, I don’t hate this game.”

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