Page 94 of Steel Beauty

Her eyes twinkle with playful confidence. “I pole dance—only for Jack Henry, of course. It keeps things fun.” She says it casually as though she’s talking about what she had for breakfast. The way she owns it, completely unapologetic, is both surprising and admirable.

She moves on, sifting through delicate lace and silk, humming softly as if this is simply another ordinary errand. Her ease is magnetic.

Singing, dancing, raising four kids, and still looking like a million bucks—seriously, is there anything this woman can’t do?

We comb through the racks, the soft rustle of fabric filling the air as curiosity gets the better of me. “So, what’s it like being married for—” I pause, realizing I don’t remember the number.

“Ten years,” she supplies with an easy smile. “And it’s… well, it’s imperfect. But it’s also magical in its own way. It’s the kind of bond that’s hard to describe unless you’re living it—filled with moments of absolute joy and others that test every ounce of patience and love you have. It’s not always a fairy tale, but the magic is in the realness, in knowing someone has your back, flaws and all. There’s beauty in the mess, in building a life together piece by piece.”

I let her words sink in, feeling the depth behind them.

“And your career? You were the lead singer for one of the biggest country bands in existence. Do you ever regret giving that up?”

“Not for a second.” Her expression softens, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Jack Henry will always be my first choice. I love him, and I love the life we’ve built together. My family means everything to me. Nothing—no stage or spotlight—could ever compare to what I have at home.”

A pang of admiration settles in my chest. “I can see it. The way you two look at each other—you can feel the love between you. But how did you know?”

“That Jack Henry was the one?” She glances at me briefly, her smile deepening with fondness, before her eyes drop to the piece of lingerie in her hand,. “I just knew. With him, it felt like coming home. Like every part of me was understood and accepted, no questions, no conditions. He saw the real me—flaws, quirks, everything—and loved me anyway. It’s the kind of love that makes you know you can face anything together.”

Her words settle over me, stirring something deep and quiet. And her description leaves a soft imprint in my thoughts. “That makes sense.”

Laurelyn’s eyes light up as she pulls a striking red lingerie set from the rack—a delicate lace bralette with matching, barely-there bottoms edged in soft satin. She holds it up, giving me a knowing grin. “This would look incredible on you.”

I glance at it, the vibrant red lace practically daring me to step out of my comfort zone. “Honestly, I didn’t even pack lingerie. I mean, why would I? I didn’t come to Australia expecting to—” I pause, realizing there’s no graceful way to finish that sentence.

“Toget laid?” Laurelyn fills in, her smile playful. “Julius Caesar would lose his mind if he saw you in this. You should get it. It would make his night—and yours.”

I hesitate, the lace dangling from her hand as if it’s challenging me. It’s not something I’d normally choose, but there’s something about it—bold, daring, the kind of thing Magnolia Steel wouldn’t give a second look.

But Charleston?

Laurelyn raises a brow, her expression full of encouragement. “Do it.”

Before I can talk myself out of it, I grab the set, draping it over my arm with a grin that surprises even me. “Why not?”

We wander through the aisles, conversation flowing as easily as the shopping. Laurelyn glances over, her expression curious. “How are you feeling about everything?”

I smile, the thought of JC warming me from the inside out. “He’s amazing. Patient, selfless, and genuinely giving. He’s special. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s hotter than a two-dollar pistol.”

Laurelyn laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “You spend a lot of time together, don’t you?”

“We’re together every night and entire weekends. He’s practically moved into the penthouse with me. My coworkers probably think I’m holed up in my room depressed and moping.” I chuckle, shaking my head. “If they only knew. I’m having the time of my life. And the sex? Incredible. Best I’ve ever had.” My cheeks heat slightly as I realize how easily the words slip out. “But you probably don’t want to hear about that, considering how close you are to him.”

Laurelyn waves a dismissive hand, her laugh light and easy. “Doesn’t bother me one bit. Say whatever you like about your relationship.”

Her easy acceptance softens something inside me, and I grin. “Thanks, Laurelyn. Honestly, it means a lot. I don’t really have anyone I can talk to about him. It’s not like I can bring it up with my coworkers.”

Laurelyn studies me thoughtfully before nodding. “You know, you and Julius Caesar seem like a really good fit.”

Warmth blooms inside me. “I’ve never felt this compatible with anyone before. It’s surprising, honestly, considering how different our backgrounds are.”

“I think you’d feel even closer if you knew more about him and could see the parts of his life he hasn’t shown you yet.”

The thought takes root. “Sometimes, I long to know more. Not because I need to pry, but because I yearn to understand him better. I want to see the pieces of him kept out of reach.”

Laurelyn reaches out, her hand resting gently on my arm. “Maybe it’s time to think about being honest with each other. The aliases were a fun way to start—safe, playful, and exactly what you needed then. But you’ve built something stronger now, something real. You’ve outgrown the game, as Jack Henry and I did.”

You’ve outgrown the game.The words settle deep inside me, stirring a quiet ache of uncertainty.

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