Steel Beauty Now Live

Love like this doesn't come easy.
It’s messy, and it hurts.
But at least it’s real.

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Fall in Love with Alex and Magnolia

Enjoy Chapter One

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“First of all, I’m not looking for a man. So let’s start there.”

Joy––my coworker and hopeless romantic who fancies herself a matchmaker––leans back in her chair. She eyes me like I’ve said the most absurd thing she’s ever heard. “Not looking for a man? Magnolia, that’s like saying you don’t want sunshine in your life.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “Sunshine? Puh-lease. Men are not sunshine. They’re more like passing clouds—here one minute, gone the next. Some of them are full-on thunderstorms, leaving nothing but chaos and destruction in their wake. Thanks, but I can live without that kind of sunshine in my life.”

Joy takes out her phone and turns the screen toward me, displaying a picture. “My brother is perfect for you. He’s tall, handsome, successful, and he has hair. Not just hair--magnificent hair. Do you realize how many men in this world are bald? Ethan is as rare as rocking-horse manure.”

Not every woman’s out here building a dream man from a checklist. Looks aren’t everything—God knows some of the best-looking men have taught me the hardest lessons. Great hair won’t hold you when you’re falling apart. A sharp jawline doesn’t make you feel safe. And charming smiles? Those fade fast when the truth comes out. Some of us have learned to want more. A man who listens. Who shows up. Who stays when it’s hard, not just when it’s easy.

“You compared your brother to manure.”

“Fitting since he can be a little shit sometimes. But otherwise, he’s great. You’d love him.”

I glance at the photo. Ethan isn’t fugly—in fact, he’s good-looking—but he’s a little too pretty. He looks like he spends more time on his hair than I spend on mine.


“Yeah, well, I’m sure Ethan is fantastic, as is his hair, but I’m not in the market for a man.”

Violet jumps into the conversation with a smirk. “Unless he’s Dak Prescott. In that case, she’d drop everything and start planning their football-themed wedding.”

I let out a dreamy sigh. “I mean, why wouldn’t I? The man is perfection wrapped in a football jersey. And let’s be honest, I’d make the perfect Mrs. Prescott.”

Joy laughs, undeterred. “Unless Dak shows up at the front desk asking for you, I’d say my brother still has a shot.”

I shake my head though a smile tugs at my lips. “I’m happy biding my time until Dak realizes I’m his soulmate.”

Joy raises a brow. “You know my brother’s a private chef, right? He could cook gourmet dinners for you every night.”

I stop in my tracks; the idea of perfectly prepared meals every day is tempting. A plate of something fresh—straight from the farmer’s market—has a certain appeal.

“Just think of the roasted vegetables fresh from his private garden.” Joy winks, aware of my weakness for anything fresh and unprocessed, clearly trying to use it to her advantage.

I click my tongue, smirking. “You sneaky little vegetable pusher.”

Joy’s lips curl into a devious smile. “Well, you are a vegetable harlot. All it takes is a good-looking carrot, and you’re ready to commit.”

I laugh. “Hey, I have standards. It’s only the finest carrots for me.”

Before Joy can come back with another reason I should drop everything and date her brother, Gabby’s voice cuts through the office buzz, pulling everyone’s attention toward her. “All right, everyone, conference room in five.”

“Saved by the boss,” I say to Violet, keeping my words between us as I stand up and grab my notebook.

Violet smirks and leans in closer. “Makes you wonder why Joy’s so eager to play matchmaker for her brother if he’s truly as rare as rocking-horse manure.”

I grin, whispering back, “Probably because she only got the manure part right.”

We file into the conference room where Gabby stands. “All right, let’s settle in, everyone.”

Elijah catches my eye from across the room, his grin wide. He leans back in his chair, tossing a wink my way. I give him a polite nod though my fingers tighten around the edge of my notebook. I focus elsewhere, pretending not to notice when his gaze lingers a little too long.

Gabby clears her throat, and the room gradually quiets. Her gaze sweeps over us, and she gives a small, proud smile. “As all of you know, Soul Sync started as a crazy idea in my living room and has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined. We didn’t want to be just another matchmaking service. Our goal has always been to help people find meaningful connections, not swipe-right hookups.”

I’m reminded of my passion for this job as Gabby speaks. Soul Sync isn’t just my job; it’s my home. I can’t see myself doing this kind of work anywhere else.

“I know I’ve asked a lot from each of you along the way, but look at us now. Soul Sync is thriving, and that’s thanks to your hard work and dedication.”

She pauses, looking around the room, her eyes softening. “You’ve all helped build something truly special here—an elite service where we prioritize genuine, soul-deep partnerships over superficial nonsense. And trust me, that’s rare these days.”

Rare as rocking-horse manure.

Gabby continues, “We’re not just matching people. We’re changing people’s lives, and that’s because of you.”

She’s right. Finding something real in a world of shallow connections and fleeting encounters is like stumbling upon a rose among briars.

The irony isn’t lost on me, though—working for a company dedicated to helping people find deep connections while I’ve only ever had fleeting, surface-level relationships myself.

The mood lightens as she cracks a grin. “And if I can survive launching a company fueled mostly by caffeine and blind optimism, I think we can handle whatever comes next.”

A ripple of nods and smiles spreads through the room as her words sink in.

“Speaking of what comes next… as you all know, Soul Sync has been testing the waters internationally. We’ve received news that our beta test in Australia is successful. We’ve officially landed clients down under.”

A round of applause erupts, and I clap along. Soul Sync’s expansion to Australia is huge, and the excitement in the room is undeniable.

Gabby beams, waiting for the applause to die down. “This is a huge win for us, but the real challenge starts now—delivering our services on the other side of the world. We’re talking about building a sister company from the ground up: designing entire matchmaking sets, coordinating events, and managing client experiences in a brand-new market.”

She pauses, her gaze sweeping the room. “I need volunteers for a three-month assignment in Sydney. This is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to help shape the future of Soul Sync. Please understand––you will be leaving home and living out of hotels while you’re building something new from the ground up. Your responsibilities will include overseeing installations, working directly with clients, and ensuring that every detail runs smoothly. This is your chance to be part of something truly monumental.”

I glance around, noticing the hesitant faces. This is a big ask—three months away from home, working in a high-pressure environment. But for me, it feels like exactly what I need. I love a challenge, and the thought of leading set designs in an entirely new market has my mind racing with possibilities. A new city, new people, a chance to prove myself and focus on my work—no distractions.

And no matchmaking or blind dates I didn’t ask for.

But best of all? No constant feedback from Macy. She’s excellent at what she does, but we always have to collaborate on set designs, which means compromises. I wonder what it would be like to have full creative control, to bring my ideas to life without running every decision by someone else. This Sydney assignment could be my chance to do precisely that.

Besides, Sydney? Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to work there for three months?

Gabby continues, “I know some of you have families or commitments that might make this difficult, and that’s completely understandable. We need people who are flexible and ready to take on the challenge.”

Without hesitating, I raise my hand. “I’ll go. The other set designers are married, and I’m single. This is the perfect opportunity for me.”

Gabby smiles. “Thank you, Magnolia. I knew I could count on you.”

From the corner of my eye, I catch Macy’s reaction. Her lips press into a tight line, and she adjusts her posture, crossing her arms. The slight narrowing of her eyes is all I need to see to know that she’s not thrilled about me stepping up for this. She’s never liked it when I get a bit of the spotlight.

I feel Violet’s eyes on me, and when I turn, she’s smiling, her raised eyebrow saying it all—she’s proud of me, maybe even a little impressed. The look says, I knew you had it in you.

I wish she could come too. Violet would be the perfect person to share this adventure with—her sharp wit and calm presence would make any high-pressure situation bearable. But it’s not possible. Not with her mom battling cancer. Violet wouldn’t leave her mom’s side for anything, not even an opportunity like this. She’s the kind of daughter who’d drop everything to be there for her family, and honestly, I admire her for it.

Elijah’s hand shoots up next. “I’ll go too. Magnolia and I work well together.”

Great. Just what I need.

Elijah has been hovering around me for months, always finding excuses to stick close—offering to carry materials, hanging around after meetings, and dropping hints about grabbing dinner. It’s obvious what he wants, but I’m not interested. Not in him, and certainly not like that. He tries too hard, always grinning like he’s auditioning for a toothpaste commercial.

Don’t get me wrong. Elijah’s nice, but his persistence is smothering. I feel like I need a personal bubble to breathe around him.

Gabby nods. “Thank you, Elijah. Your skills will be a valuable addition to the team. We are going to need all the help we can get.”

Sophie and Whitney, who handle client experience, raise their hands next.

They’re both sharp, hardworking, and—like me—single. If anyone could make this trip productive and fun, it’s them. We’ve always worked well together, and I’m already imagining the late-night brainstorming sessions turning into laughter-filled conversations over a bottle of wine. Or three. There’s a sense of camaraderie among us, an unspoken understanding that we’ve got each other’s backs.

Soul Sync has its pressures, but the women here—mostly—are a team. There’s no cattiness, no competition—only support. I’m hopeful this assignment will be a career boost and a chance to make some unforgettable memories with Sophie and Whitney along the way.

Gabby’s gaze settles on me. “Magnolia, you’ll be leading the set designs, but would you consider also serving as a social coordinator with Rebecca’s help? She’ll be assisting remotely from the U.S. You would have her support, even from a distance.”

This will definitely be different. Gabby can’t send an entire team, so with a smaller crew, it’s crucial for everyone to step up and take on multiple responsibilities—even those outside their comfort zones. I’m used to designing sets, not managing the social flow of events, but this is a huge opportunity, and flexibility is part of the deal. We’ll all have to juggle roles we didn’t necessarily sign up for if this is to succeed.

I nod. “I’d be happy to.”

Rebecca leans forward with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Magnolia. I’ve got your back with the social coordination stuff. We’ll make sure everything runs smoothly. Think of it as your chance to flex some new skills.” She finishes with a wink.

Gabby smiles. “That’s what I love to hear. It’ll take some creative problem-solving, but I know we’ll make it work.”

A few more hands go up as Gabby thanks each new volunteer with her usual enthusiasm. The team is starting to take shape, and the room hums with excitement as others begin murmuring about the possibilities ahead.
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The meeting wraps up with more applause, and as we head out, Violet nudges me with a smirk. “Elijah volunteering? Guess he’s still convinced he’s got a shot with you, huh?”

I cut my eyes toward Elijah and notice him looking pleased with himself. “Hell has a better shot at hosting a snowball-throwing convention.”

Violet leans in, her words dropping to a whisper. “Maybe you should send him a fruit basket. Like a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ gesture.”

Some men don’t understand that when a woman says she’s not interested, she means it. They think persistence is romantic when it’s really just fucking exhausting.

“With my luck, he’d think it was an invitation to a picnic. You know me, Vi. I’m not looking for romance with him or anyone else. Sydney is about work and furthering my career. So the dude needs to chase someone else’s… fruit basket.”

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Steel Beauty is just the beginning… 
Alex and Magnolia’s journey continues in Book 2 on May 27.

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Thank you for being part of this journey with me. 
I couldn’t do this without readers like you.
I hope Steel Beauty steals your heart… 
the way Alex stole Magnolia’s.​

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