Page 93 of Steel Beauty

Relief loosens the tension in my chest. “I know she isn’t like Celeste or the others—not even a little. And I do trust her. She’s everything I was hoping for when I signed up with Soul Sync.”

I chuckle softly, shaking my head as a small smile tugs at my lips. “You know it took me a bloody week to fill out that compatibility assessment—tripping over every question, every word. My brain was a mess. But somehow I ended up finding her. Charleston is exactly who I was describing in every answer on that questionnaire.”

“That doesn’t surprise me one bit. She’s the one for you, Alex. I know it deep in my soul.” Her expression shifts, turning serious. “I know the aliases have been fun, but at some point, you’re going to have to tell her who you really are. Once the role-play ends, that’s when you’ll know if this is something real—something that could last.”

Laurelyn’s words sink in, their truth undeniable. She’s right. Charleston has more than earned my honesty. She deserves to know it all.

“You have to admit she’s passed every test. She’s proven herself and deserves to know you—fully, completely, down to the core.” Her gaze softens, warmth threading through her words. “Jack Henry and I love you, Alex. We want to see you happy—you’re so deserving of it. And if it means sticking my nose into your business to make sure of it, well, I’ll do that happily.”

“You’re starting to sound an awful lot like Margaret McLachlan right now.”

She grins, her eyes sparkling with pride. “Thank you. I’ll take that as the highest compliment.”

There’s a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “I want to do for you and Charleston what Margaret did for Jack Henry and me.”

My curiosity is piqued. “And what exactly was that?”

“To help open your eyes to the possibilities of true love. Now, do I have your blessing to invite Charleston to lunch? I’d love the chance to get to know her better… and maybe plant a few seeds.”

Planting seeds—that’s Laurelyn’s specialty. She introduces an idea so subtly that it starts to grow before you even realize it. I’d bet Jack Henry didn’t see it coming until he was already in too deep.

“Of course. Charleston would love that. She told me a couple times how much she enjoyed hanging out with you last weekend.”

“She seems like a strong woman, someone who’s had to build walls to protect herself. Don’t let your time together slip by without showing her who you really are and how you truly feel. Heaven forbid, she’s like I was and decides to leave because she can’t bear the thought of saying goodbye.”

Her gaze softens, her expression tinged with a memory that seems to ache. “It took Jack Henry months to find me after I ran. And during that time, I was living in hell.”

Her words settle over me with a heaviness I can’t shake, cutting deeper than I expected. The thought of Charleston leaving, slipping through my fingers, leaves an ache in my chest I can’t ignore. Watching her walk away never knowing how I truly feel would be unbearable.

As Laurelyn continues talking, her voice fades into the background, and my thoughts drift to Charleston. It would be so easy to tell her the truth, to lay it all out and believe she’d keep it safe. I do have faith in her—more than I’ve had in anyone in years.

The secrecy, the aliases, the constant tension of being someone else in public—it’s exhausting. With Charleston, the idea of stepping out from behind the mask feels less terrifying and more like relief.

I want her to see the real me. No pretenses, no walls—just me. And more than that, I want to see what we could be together if she knew everything.

As the evening winds down, the quiet hum of Laurelyn’s words drifts into silence, but her message remains. A newfound certainty takes root, steady and undeniable. Charleston is worth the risk. She’s different from anyone I’ve ever known.

I may have found the one I’ve been waiting for.

Chapter22

Magnolia Steel

It’s beena week since JC and I had dinner at Jack and Laurelyn’s house, and I was surprised when she reached out to invite me on a girls’ day. We’ve only just met, and while she’s been warm and welcoming, I didn’t expect to hear from her. When her message popped up, asking if I wanted to go shopping, I found myself saying yes without hesitation.

I pictured high-end boutiques and exclusive storefronts, the kind of places that fit her polished life. Instead, we’re at a lively shopping center, the kind of place where real people—people like me—come to shop. It’s not what I imagined, but it’s perfect.

Not that I’m struggling—I’m doing fine for myself. But growing up with barely enough to get by has left its mark. I’m careful with money, always thinking ahead, always weighing what’s necessary versus what’s frivolous. Splurges are rare, reserved for something truly special… or something I can’t stop thinking about.

My attention keeps straying—unwillingly, irresistibly—to a particular lingerie set in the store we’ve wandered into. Deep emerald with delicate lace, it’s unlike anything I’d normally buy. But it’s got my attention in a way that’s both surprising and hard to ignore.

Laurelyn’s eyes sparkle as she plucks a lacy black piece from the rack, holding it up with a mischievous grin. “Now this would send Jack Henry straight over the edge if I showed up wearing it tonight.”

I laugh, nodding. “It’s hot. You should absolutely get it.”

She drapes it over her arm, her smile turning satisfied. “I think I will. It’s perfect for my next dance.”

“Next dance?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued.

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