They’re fire and gasoline, yet they make sense. The perfect balance.
At first, it seemed like harmless fun—some light flirting, a few lingering glances. But it didn’t take long to see what lay beneath.
Late nights. Easy smiles. Elias brushing his fingers through her hair. Violet leaning into his touch. That wasn’t just chemistry. It was the beginning of something real.
They were circling the truth. And after hearing what Elias said to Magnolia—that Violet’s the first person who’s ever made him picture forever—I’m certain I was right.
My brother has had plenty of flings. But Violet? She’s not a distraction. She’s the thing he wants to keep, and that kind of confession doesn’t come from a guy playing games.
And I don’t think Violet’s playing either. She’s already thinking about uprooting her life. Magnolia told me in passing, as if it wasn’t a big deal. But it is. That’s not a casual move. That’s a leap.
They may not have said the words out loud yet, but everything else is already in motion. The feelings. The foundation. They’re not chasing something temporary—they’re both looking for a place to land. And I can give them that chance.
When Magnolia talks about Violet, there’s something soft in her voice. Something that doesn’t always make it to the surface. She misses her. Deeply. Fiercely. She wants her best friend beside her, a part of this life we’re building.
Violet’s done her part. She put in for the transfer. All that’s left is someone in power saying yes.
Gabby owes us. My public statement helped put Soul Sync back on the map. She knows it. I know it. And now I’m calling in that favor.
Not for leverage. Not for control. Just to put the right people in the right place—and give them the time and proximity to figure out if this thing they’re building is the real deal.
A six-month assignment. On Soul Sync’s dime. Long enough to see if the spark turns into something that lasts.
And if it does?
Violet won’t have to wonder.
Elias won’t have to hold back.
And Magnolia—she’ll have the one person who’s been missing from her life.
The three of them get something they didn’t even know how to ask for. And me? I can quietly give this to them. Without fanfare. Because this isn’t about me.
This is about them and their happiness.
Chapter 20
Magnolia Steel
My iPad buzzes on the kitchen island as I’m scooping the last of the cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, music humming through the speakers, the scent of vanilla floating in the air.
Incoming FaceTime: Violet.
Her contact photo is now one from a girls’ trip—Violet’s hair is a mess from the beach and she looks like sun-kissed sin in a bikini and oversized sunglasses. She’s mid-laugh, all teeth and chaos. Untamed. Unbothered. Unapologetically Violet.
I swapped the photo out after realizing the old one—her flipping off the camera—while accurate, might not give the best first impression if Malie happens to see it.
I press Accept, still holding the spoon, ready to clean the bowl and sample the dough.
To hell with salmonella. Some things are worth the risk.
Her face fills the screen, glowing in soft light, her hair in a high bun, golden hoop earrings catching the sun.
She gives me a mock-serious expression. “You better be sitting down.”
“Well, I’m not.”
“Get somewhere and sit down. Now.”
