Page 114 of Steel Beauty

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I glance down, a shy smile tugging at my lips. “I really enjoy being with Alex. He’s… well, he’s incredible.”

Malie’s expression softens, her pride shining through. “Perhaps I’m biased, but I’d say incredible is the right word. He’s always been a good man, but with you, he seems happy for a change.”

Her words give me pause, a quiet ripple of surprise moving through me. Alex, unhappy? It’s hard to picture the confident, self-assured man I know being anything less than content. But then again, I’ve seen flashes of something deeper in him—moments when his jokes faltered, when his silence spoke volumes. He hides it well, but he carries some kind of torment, one I don’t fully understand yet.

Has he been pretending for everyone else’s sake?

She glances down at the container she’s sealing, her movements slowing as if she’s weighing her next words. “What happens when you go back to the U.S.?”

Her question takes me by surprise. “I’m not sure.”

Malie doesn’t know about the agreement Alex and I made—three months of uncomplicated fun, a fixed end date with no strings attached. It was supposed to be simple, but nothing about what we have now feels simple anymore.

She studies me for a moment. “Well, I hope the two of you figure out something. It would be a shame to let distance decide for you. So, dear, put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.”

Her words hit me harder than I expect, their weight settling over me like a heavy, unshakable truth.

“I’d hate to see you part ways. You’re good for Aleki… unlike the last girl he dated.”

As the evening winds down, I find myself watching Malie and Alexander more closely. There’s something about the way they move together, an unspoken rhythm that speaks of decades of trust and love. A shared glance, a fleeting smile—they’re a portrait of what I’ve always imagined a family should be.

I like them more than I expected to, more than I should. There’s a comfort in their presence that feels so foreign yet so magnetic, like stepping into a world I didn’t know I was missing out on.

For a fleeting moment, I let myself wonder what it would be like to belong to a family like this. To have Malie and Alexander not only as Alex’s parents but as my family too?

But reality cuts through the thought like a sharp edge, pulling me back to the plan. This is temporary. The life I’ve begun to picture—the one where I’m part of this family, where Alex and I are building something lasting—isn’t part of the deal we made. It’s a beautiful dream, but that’s all it can ever be. A fleeting fantasy, destined to dissolve the moment my time here is over.

Chapter28

Alex Sebring

Anticipation churnsbeneath my nerves as we drive toward the airport. This isn’t just another trip to Samoa—it’s a leap, a test of sorts. Magnolia is about to meet my entire extended family, the whole loud, close-knit, wonderfully chaotic clan. And while I hope she’ll embrace it, there’s no denying the significance of the moment.

My grandparents—Tina’s parents—are the heart of our family, and they live a life worlds apart from the one Magnolia knows. While my father and I have built lives surrounded by luxury and success, my grandparents have stayed true to their roots, living in a traditional Samoan home. It’s a life built on love, tradition, and simplicity. It’s beautiful, but it’s not for everyone.

Celeste wouldn’t have lasted five minutes there. She’d have waved off their home as quaint and unsuitable, opting instead for a suite in Apia, complete with air conditioning, a mini-bar, and Wi-Fi. She wouldn’t have understood the quiet strength in my grandparents’ way of life—the pride, the history, the connection. To her, it would’ve been nothing more than an inconvenience.

But Magnolia isn’t Celeste. Magnolia is… Magnolia. Genuine, adaptable, and far from pretentious. She grew up in her own kind of chaos, and that’s given her a depth most people never find. She’s the kind of woman who can appreciate what really matters—not the facade, but the heart of things.

As I glance at her beside me, a small smile playing on her lips as she watches the scenery rush by, my confidence in her swells. I know she’ll respect my family’s world, see its value, its beauty. She’ll understand.

Still, the nerves persist. Because this isn’t just about her meeting my family. It’s about me too. I’ve never brought anyone to Samoa, never shared this part of my life with a woman before. It’s sacred to me and letting her in feels like laying my soul bare.

But with Magnolia, it feels right. It feels like the first step toward something real. Something that, even with the clock ticking on her time here, I can’t let slip away.

As the small airport comes into view, I take a deep breath, anticipation tightening in my chest. Magnolia is about to step into my world—not the polished, public version, but the sacred, unvarnished parts I keep guarded. And yet, I know she’ll meet it all with that quiet strength and unshakable grace that’s uniquely hers.

We pull up to the terminal, and before I can even grab the first bag, Magnolia is swept into the Sebring-Malietoa fold. My sisters descend with their usual whirlwind energy, flanking her with bright smiles and rapid-fire chatter. Their warmth is electric, making it impossible for her to feel anything but welcome.

They weren’t like this with Celeste. Not even close.

They know how important Magnolia is to me, and they’re treating her accordingly, welcoming her with the kind of warmth and care they reserve for someone who truly matters.

Tina, ever the heart of the family, takes the lead with a hug that radiates love and acceptance. “Magnolia, we’ve been so looking forward to this.”

Leilani and Sefina aren’t far behind, their laughter bubbling as they pepper Magnolia with questions and stories.

Leilani’s grin is downright devilish as she fixes her gaze on me while addressing Magnolia. “Alex has been talking about you nonstop. Magnolia this… Magnolia that.” She draws out the words with exaggerated drama, clearly relishing my discomfort. “It’s about time we finally got to meet you.”

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