Page 125 of Steel Beauty

Whitney gives me a once-over, her brow arching as suspicion gleams in her eyes. “We didn’t run into you once—not even at the coffee shop. That’s so unlike you.” She pauses, tilting her head slightly. “And look at you—sun-kissed and glowing. Did you live at the beach this week?”

I pause, a small smile tugging at my lips as flashes of Samoa drift through my mind: walking along golden shores, the rush of waterfalls, Alex teasing me about tan lines as I lounged in the sun.

It wouldn’t be a lie to say I spent a lot of time surrounded by sand and water.

Meeting Whitney’s curious gaze, I shrug. “I did spend quite a bit of time at the beach.”

As I settle into my desk, Elijah’s familiar voice slices through the hum of the office, his footsteps purposeful as he heads straight for me. He leans casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, his brows arched in that signature nosy way of his.

“So, where’d you disappear to? Some kind of romantic getaway?”

I glance up, offering him a smooth, practiced smile. “Just a change of scenery and some time to recharge. Nothing too exciting.”

Elijah tilts his head, his gaze sharpening, as though trying to read between the lines. “Well, since you’re all recharged, why don’t you clue me in on the new dating suite? Got any plans yet?”

The afterglow from my time with Alex wraps around me like armor, impenetrable and unyielding. Nothing could sour my mood today—not Elijah’s nosiness, not even a full day of deadlines. “I’ve been back five minutes, Elijah. Give me a second to breathe, and I’m sure I’ll conjure something brilliant.”

He smirks, clearly unfazed by my response. “Fair enough. But if you need a second pair of eyes—or hands—don’t hesitate to call me.”

I offer him a polite smile, shaking my head lightly. “Thanks. Just need a little time to get back into the groove.”

“This’ll be the last one we do together in Sydney. Two weeks, and we’re back to Charleston.”

His words hit me hard, settling like a stone in my chest. I nod slowly. “The last one in Sydney,” I echo softly, almost as if I’m still trying to grasp the reality of it.

“Thank fuck, right?” he says casually and matter-of-fact. “I’m so ready to get out of here. Aren’t you?”

I hesitate, the truth catching in my throat and refusing to budge. “I think I could stay forever. I’ve fallen in love…” I pause, glancing away to collect myself before finishing, “with Australia of course.”

Elijah doesn’t seem to notice the crack in my voice, but I feel the truth of it deep in my chest. Leaving Sydney—leaving Alex—feels like stepping off a cliff I’m not ready to face.

Elijah’s sly smile pulls me back to the present. “I don’t know what you could possibly love about this place.”

I shrug like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “What’s not to love?”

He shakes his head, obviously dissatisfied with my answer, and dives into a string of design details. But his words barely register, blurring under the despair left behind by his earlier statement. Two weeks. Just fourteen days, and I’ll be back in Charleston. The life Alex and I have built will be nothing more than a memory.

I clear my throat, forcing myself to focus, and cut Elijah off gently. “I’ll take a look at the specs and get started. I just need a little time to work through it.”

After a beat, he nods. “Fair enough. Let me know if you need anything.”

The day drags on, tasks blending into each other in a dull haze as I go through the motions. My mind refuses to stay on track, drifting constantly to Alex, to the life we’ve been living here, and the ache of knowing it’s all temporary.

By late afternoon, a quiet anticipation starts to bloom. I wonder if Alex will be waiting outside to pick me up or if we’ll meet somewhere for dinner.

Just as I glance at the clock, my phone buzzes with a message from him.

Pick you up at 5:15? Same place I dropped you this morning?

My fingers fly over the screen, the reply coming without a second thought.

Yes, 5:15 would be great.

See you then.

Even his simplest messages have a way of brightening the longest days. It amazes me how easily we’ve fallen into this routine—one that feels so natural.

As the workday winds down, I gather my things and make my way to the exit, my thoughts already drifting to Alex. There’s no message to say he’s here yet, but I know he’s close. Stepping into the crisp evening air, a small smile tugs at my lips as I imagine what he might have planned for tonight.

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