Page 9 of Steel Beauty

Chloe and I go way back. She’s closer to my age, and we grew up together. She and Jack have their special sibling bond, but we always got on differently. No sparks, just good mates. Even when I was off playing rugby, we managed to stay in touch.

She’s done a ripper job for herself. A few years back, she opened a restaurant. It took off quick smart, and now it’s one of the top spots in Sydney. She made the leap from chef to restaurant owner look easy.

But that’s the McLachlan family for you. Whatever they touch turns to gold. Jack’s got his vineyards. Chloe’s got her restaurants. Evan started out selling houses, only to build himself a booming property development business. Success is in their blood. If anyone’s got grit, talent, and the drive to come out on top, it’s the McLachlans.

From where I’m sitting, I overhear his side of the call. Jack, usually so calm and easygoing, speaks with a sharp edge that cuts through the evening air.

“Tell that bastard I’m taking my vineyard back,” Jack says, pacing slowly near the grill.

There’s a pause, the faint murmur of Chloe’s voice coming through the receiver. Jack listens, jaw tight. “There’s no way in hell he’s keeping a McLachlan vineyard after what he did to you.”

He keeps talking, his words measured and deliberate, but the simmering anger beneath is impossible to miss. I don’t catch every word, but it’s clear that whatever Ben did has Jack fuming.

The call goes on for a few minutes. When Jack finally hangs up, he tosses his phone on the table. “I guess you know Chloe filed for divorce from Ben.”

“Yeah,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “Sorry to hear it.”

“I’m sorry for my sister’s pain, but I’m not sorry to see him gone.” Jack’s lips set in a hard line. “I always knew he’d break her heart, but I didn’t think she’d have to waste ten bloody years on him first.”

I don’t know the full story yet, but I’ve heard enough to know Ben did something bad—really bad. Neither Chloe nor Jack have shared the details, but knowing Ben, I can imagine. Whatever it was, Chloe deserves better.

Laurelyn steps onto the porch, wiping her hands on a tea towel. “The poor thing is struggling with the separation. She really loved Ben.”

Jack shakes his head, his frustration evident. “I never liked him. Told her from the start he’d hurt her—it was only a matter of time.”

Laurelyn gives him a look—the kind only a wife can get away with. “Yes, Jack Henry, we all know how you feel about Ben. You’ve been very clear about that from the beginning.”

Jack doesn’t flinch. “And I was right.”

Laurelyn sighs, her face pinching with a mix of sadness and frustration. “Chloe’s strong. She isn’t okay right now, but she will be again one day. She needs time to mourn the loss of what she had with Ben.”

Jack huffs a humorless laugh. “You mean what shethoughtshe had with him. She never had anything real with that prick.”

Laurelyn is right—Chloe will come out of this stronger, but it’s going to take time. It always does.

Jack grabs the bottle of wine from the table and tops off my glass before filling his own. “So, mate, tell us about this Soul Sync thing. How’d the date go?”

“It was peculiar. The service assigns all clients an alias to keep things anonymous.” A smirk pulls at my lips. “I’m Julius Caesar, and my match is Cleopatra.”

Laurelyn arches a brow, amusement dancing in her words. “Caesar and Cleopatra? That’s cute and creative.”

“Apparently, the husband of the woman who started Soul Sync is really into history. All the clients get aliases inspired by iconic couples.”

Jack prods the lamb shanks with the tongs, adjusting their position on the grill before glancing over at me. “And how was Cleopatra?”

“She talked a lot about herself—where she’s traveled, how she stays in shape, her beauty routines. But she didn’t seem too interested in hearing much about me.”

Jack huffs a dry laugh. “Sounds like someone who’s used to being the center of attention.”

“Yeah, something like that.” I shrug, a brief grin crossing my face before it fades. “Don’t get me wrong—she sounds beautiful and clearly puts a lot of effort into it. But I have a Samoan mum. The women in my family don’t obsess over beauty like that. They care, but it’s not the focus of who they are.”

Laurelyn gives me a knowing smile. “Doesn’t sound like she’d fit in with Malie, your sisters, or the Samoan side of the family. You’ve been down that road before, Alex, and it didn’t work out so well.”

“Exactly.” I lean back, take another drink, and let the wine sit on my tongue for a moment longer before swallowing. “But––”

Laurelyn catches on right away. “But?”

“There’s another woman,” I say, feeling a little foolish—and maybe a little guilty as well. She’s not the one I’m supposed to be thinking about, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t shake her from my mind.

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