Title Page

AMERICAN BEAUTY

Alex and Magnolia Book 2

THE BEAUTY SERIES

Book 5

GEORGIA CATES

Copyright

Published by Georgia Cates Books, LLC

Copyright © 2025 by Georgia Cates Books, LLC

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Editing Services provided by Lisa Aurello

Cover Design by Swoony Cover Designs

[email protected]

eBook ISBN: 978-1-948113-45-8

Epigraph

“I shall do one thing in this life—one thing certain—that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die.”

––Thomas Hardy, Far from the Madding Crowd

Contents

1. Magnolia Steel

2. Alex Sebring

3. Magnolia Steel

4. Alex Sebring

5. Alex Sebring

6. Alex Sebring

7. Magnolia Steel

8. Alex Sebring

9. Magnolia Steel

10. Alex Sebring

11. Magnolia Steel

12. Alex Sebring

13. Alex Sebring

14. Alex Sebring

15. Magnolia Steel

16. Alex Sebring

17. Magnolia Steel

18. Magnolia Steel

19. Magnolia Steel

20. Magnolia Steel

21. Alex Sebring

22. Alex Sebring

23. Alex Sebring

24. Alex Sebring

25. Alex Sebring

26. Magnolia Steel

27. Magnolia Steel

28. Alex Sebring

29. Magnolia Steel

30. Alex Sebring

31. Magnolia Steel

32. Magnolia Steel

33. Magnolia Steel

34. Magnolia Steel

35. Magnolia Steel

36. Magnolia Steel

37. Magnolia Steel

38. Alex Sebring

39. Magnolia Steel

About the Author

Also by GEORGIA CATES

Chapter 1

Magnolia Steel

The wheels hit the tarmac with a jolt, and my stomach lurches—not from the landing but from the weight of reality settling in.

Home.

Charleston’s city lights stretch beyond the runway, welcoming me back, yet nothing about this place is the same.

I reach for my phone, turn off airplane mode, and check the time in Sydney. It’s the middle of the night. I’m sure Alex is deep asleep, wrapped in sheets that still smell like me.

My chest tightens because I already miss him so much.

I pull up our text thread, hovering over the keyboard. What should I say?

Hey, I just landed, and it already feels wrong without you?

Hope you’re sleeping well. Meanwhile, I’m awake, wishing I was still in your arms?

No. Simple, but honest, is the better choice.

Just landed in Charleston. I love you, big guy. I can’t believe how much I already miss you. We’ll talk later. Sweet dreams.

I hit send. The message delivers instantly––and as expected––the read notification doesn’t appear, no typing bubble. Only a nine-thousand-mile silence.