Page 122 of Steel Beauty

“Not bad for a palagi.”

I pause, glancing up. “What’s a palagi?”

Her laugh deepens, humor sparkling in her eyes. “It’s what we call foreigners. Outsiders.” She reaches over, her practiced hands deftly fixing the strands I’d loosened.

“Good to know I have an official title here.”

“Oh, don’t worry about being called an outsider, dear. My beloved Alexander is a palagi too.”

I bet there’s a good story here. “How did you two meet?”

She sets her mat aside, settling in with a storyteller’s ease. “Let’s just say it wasn’t love at first sight—at least not for me.”

A playful glint shines in her eyes as she crosses her arms, drawing me into the moment.

“This is a good one, Magnolia. Picture this: I’d just arrived in Australia, full of wide-eyed excitement to see the world. I picked up a job waiting tables at a small restaurant to make ends meet. One night, in walks this serious-looking tall blond man. But here’s the twist,” she pauses, her voice brimming with mischief, “he was on a date.”

My eyes widen, and a grin tugs at my lips. “No way.”

“Oh yes,” she says, her laughter spilling out. “He was dressed to impress, doing his best to charm this lovely girl. But the moment he saw me? That poor woman didn’t stand a chance. He kept sneaking glances every time I walked by. She might as well have been invisible.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Did he manage to get your attention?”

Malie raises a teasing brow. “Oh, I noticed him. But I kept it professional—polite, charming, maybe a smile or two. Still, I felt his eyes on me every single time. When they left, I figured that was the end of it. But wouldn’t you know it? He came back and asked for my table.”

“Tell me he didn’t bring the girl back with him.”

Malie waves her hand, her laughter bubbling over. “Oh no. He came back alone after that. Sat there like a lost puppy, ordering everything on the menu as an excuse to keep sitting at my table. Eventually, he worked up the nerve to ask me out.”

Her laughter fills the room, and I picture a lovestruck young Mr. Sebring, trying to charm his way into her heart.

I shake my head, grinning. “He must’ve been thrilled when you said yes.”

“Oh, he was. He may be a palagi, but he loved me enough to learn about my culture, to understand what matters to me. That means more than any grand gesture.”

Her words settle over me, quiet but full of meaning. “That’s really beautiful. Thank you for sharing that.”

“Life has a way of surprising us, and love’s often one of those surprises. When it’s real, you know. But it isn’t a fixed thing. It grows. It changes. It’s never the same from one year to the next. No one tells you that, but it’s true.”

Her words take root, quiet but certain. “And you’d know. You’ve been married… how long now?”

“Thirty-four years. And I’d do it all over again—bumps, bruises, and all.”

Malie’s smile turns wistful, a warmth in her eyes that speaks of great love. She gives a small sigh, as if lost in a memory, before focusing back on me.

“I can see that you and Alex share something special. Don’t overthink it. Love is simpler than we make it out to be.” She winks, leaning in. “But don’t tell Aleki I said that. Let him sweat a little. It builds character.”

I laugh, glancing down at my mat as my fingers continue weaving. “I think he’s figuring me out more than I expected.”

“Good.” Malie pats my hand. “Let him. Don’t close yourself off. Life’s too short to spend it guarding yourself because you’re afraid of being hurt. Love isn’t about staying safe—it’s about taking the leap, knowing there might be a few bruises, but trusting it’ll be worth every scar.”

As we near the end of our weaving, Malie reaches over to adjust the corner of my mat, her skilled fingers smoothing the loose strands with ease. “This is good work, palagi.”

Pride swells in my chest. “Thank you for teaching me. I really enjoyed this.”

“You’re a quick learner. And you’ve got spirit—like us. Don’t ever lose that. No matter where life takes you.”

Her words carry a depth I can’t quite put into words. I look at her, feeling the sincerity of her kindness. She’s more than Alex’s mother—she’s a mentor, someone with the rare ability to recognize the walls I’ve built and the strength it takes to hold them in place.

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