Page 16 of Knot Your Sunshine (Snugverse Romcom #2)

Chapter fifteen

Mia

Elena lounges on their suite's private terrace, one leg draped over the armrest of a wicker chair, a pink drink sweating condensation onto a glass side table. The terrace overlooks the resort's gardens, where peacocks strut between bird-of-paradise plants.

"Where is everyone?" I collapse into the chair opposite her, the cushions warm from the sun against my back.

"James and Dorian are probably still at the local Beaumont patisserie that supplies the resort." Elena swirls her pink drink, ice clinking against the glass. "Something about adding more local flavors to the pastries here. Plus, you know how Dorian gets about quality control."

"And Cole?"

"Probably downstairs demolishing the afternoon buffet." Her lips curve into a soft smile. "That man can eat his weight in prime rib and still have room for dessert. It's honestly impressive."

My laugh comes out shaky, and I realize my hands have a faint tremor. The adrenaline from my meeting with the alphas at the marina overlook is finally draining away, leaving me feeling wrung out.

"So tell me everything." Elena sets down her drink with a soft clink, leaning forward. "What happened after you paged them?"

"I met them at the marina overlook. And... I forgave them."

Her face lights up, eyebrows shooting toward her hairline. "Really? Just like that?"

"Not just like that. I set conditions." I pull my legs up onto the chair, wrapping my arms around my knees. "First, they need to make a substantial financial investment in my franchise concept, enough to give it a genuine shot at success. And I want the help of an expert, not just their money."

"And they agreed?"

"Yes, they said they'll fund everything and they already have a franchise consultant on standby. Can you believe that?" I shake my head, still processing.

Elena nods slowly, absorbing this. "What else?"

"Second, we take things slow. With scent blockers." My cheeks burn as I replay how them not using any turned me feral. "Half doses, so we can actually think straight around each other, yet leave some room for nature to do its thing."

"Smart," Elena says with a knowing smile. "Very smart. And the third?"

"I want a contract."

"A contract?" Her eyebrows climb higher.

"For everything. The business partnership, the romantic boundaries, all of it." I rest my chin on my knees. "It's the only way I'll feel safe moving forward. Clear expectations and boundaries. Is that weird?"

"Not weird at all. Brilliant, actually." Elena taps her chin thoughtfully. "You'll need a good lawyer though."

"Yeah, I was thinking about that—"

"Don't worry about it." She waves her hand with the casual confidence of someone whose connections could probably get the Pope on speed dial. "Dorian knows everyone. Legal, business, politics, you name it. I'll get you a name by tonight."

A knot in my chest I didn't realize was there loosens. "Really?"

"Of course." She leans forward, her expression softening. "And Mia? I'm proud of you."

"For what?"

"For standing up for yourself. For being clear about what you need instead of just hoping they'll figure it out for you." She picks at the condensation on her glass. "That takes real courage. Especially with scent matches. The pull is so strong, it's easy to lose yourself."

Warmth blooms in my chest at the unexpected praise. "Thanks, El. That means a lot."

I stretch my legs out, feeling lighter than I have all day. "Oh, and they invited us all to dinner tonight. You, the guys, your mom. Some private restaurant that's only accessible by boat."

Elena's face transforms with delight. "Perfect! This way I can finally meet all your alphas properly and give them the traditional best friend speech."

"Which is?"

"You know—'I have a shovel, I know where to hide bodies, hurt her and they'll never find you.' The classics."

We're both laughing when a soft knock on the glass doors interrupts us. Rose appears in the doorway, and she looks... different. Radiant. Like she's thirty years younger.

"Rose, you look absolutely stunning."

"Thank you, dear." Pink touches her cheeks and she looks at Elena. "Sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I know you gave me and Mia a keycard to your room, but—"

"Of course not Mom, have a seat!" Elena gestures to an empty chair. "Now, tell us why you're practically floating on air."

Rose settles into the chair, smoothing her dress with careful hands. "Well. I just returned from a sailing expedition with Julian."

"The silver fox from the beach?" I ask, delighted.

"He prefers Julian," Rose says, but she's smiling.

"We sailed around the bay, just the two of us and the ocean.

We talked for hours, about his consulting work before retirement, about all the places he's traveled to, about dreams we'd both set aside.

" She pauses, her fingers smoothing the fabric of her wrap dress.

"He makes me feel like myself. Rose, the young me. "

Elena blinks rapidly. "Mom, that's... that's wonderful."

"Okay, now I'd love to get to know Julian even more, Rose. Actually, would you and he like to join us for dinner tonight? The resort owners have invited us to this exclusive restaurant that's only accessible by boat."

Rose's expression shifts, something determined settling over her features. "Oh that's incredibly kind, but I'm afraid I can't."

"Other plans with Julian?" Elena teases.

"As a matter of fact, yes." Rose lifts her chin. "He's invited me on a proper sailing tour. Multi-day. We're going to visit other islands and places on his sailing yacht." She pauses. "We leave in about an hour."

Elena's drink freezes halfway to her lips. The terrace goes so quiet I can hear the peacocks calling in the garden below.

"You're leaving?" Elena's voice is barely above a whisper. "With a man you met yesterday?"

"Elena." Rose's voice takes on the gentle steel that only mothers can master. "I spent thirty years putting everyone else first. Making sure you were happy, stable, loved. I don't regret a single second of it. But now? Now it's my turn."

Elena opens her mouth, then closes it, clearly struggling to find a counterargument to the logic.

"Julian makes me laugh," Rose continues, her voice gentling. "He looks at me and sees adventure, possibility. Not obligation or duty. Just... potential. I'm sixty-six years old, and I'm choosing to say yes to something wild and wonderful."

"But we came here together—"

"Which is why Julian has invited you. His yacht has plenty of guest cabins." Rose reaches for Elena's hand. "You're all welcome to join us. The whole pack. You too, Mia, though I know you have business here."

Elena looks at me, then back at her mother, clearly torn.

"Go." The word comes out firm and certain. "Elena, go with your mom."

"But you'll be alone with—"

"With three alphas who will be contractually obligated to pay for my dream project, and will gladly wine and dine me properly." I stand and move to Rose, taking her free hand. "Have an incredible time. You deserve every second of adventure and romance and whatever else Julian has planned."

Rose pulls me into a hug that smells like jasmine and joy. "Thank you Mia."

"Guess I better text James and Dorian to hurry back." Elena rises slowly. "But Mia, you're absolutely sure you're okay with this?"

"Positive. Besides," I grin, "someone needs to make sure Julian's intentions are honorable."

"Oh, I hope they're not too honorable," Rose mutters, then immediately slaps her hand over her mouth.

"Mom!" Elena gasps, but she's fighting a laugh.

"What? I'm sixty-six, not dead." Rose smooths her dress with exaggerated dignity, and we all dissolve into giggles. She checks her watch. "Alright, I better go pack. You should too pumpkin, if you're coming."

She practically floats away, leaving Elena and me staring after her.

"Your mom is officially my hero," I say.

"Mine too." Elena's voice carries wonder. "I've never seen her like this."

"Happy?"

"Free." She turns to me, gratitude shining in her eyes. "And thank you. For encouraging her. For not making me feel guilty about leaving you here."

"Are you kidding? Your mom gets her romance adventure, you get quality time with her and your pack, and I'll be plenty busy focusing on business and figuring out this whole pack relationship thing."

Elena pulls me into a fierce hug. "Text me everything. Every single detail. I want business updates and romantic disasters and everything in between."

"I'll do my best to report, promise," I grin.

As I leave their suite, I hear Elena on the phone with one of her alphas, her voice bright with excitement as she explains the change in plans.

Walking back to my own suite, my phone buzzes with a notification. I glance at the screen to see a new message in the group chat with the three alphas:

Noa: Boat leaves at 7:45 PM. Do you have any food allergies we should know about?

I pause in the hallway, thumb hovering over the keyboard.

Me: No allergies. What's the dress code?

The response is immediate.

Noa: Whatever makes you feel beautiful.

Josh: That is to say, anything. You could wear a potato sack and still be the most gorgeous woman in any room.

Keanu: What he said. Can't wait for tonight.

Heat floods my cheeks as I stare at their messages. I can feel these three are going to be the death of me.

But as I reach my suite door, I realize I'm smiling. And for the first time since that conference room revelation, the anxiety in my chest has transformed completely.

Into anticipation.