Page 17 of Knot Your Sunshine (Snugverse Romcom #2)

Chapter sixteen

Mia

I step onto the marina dock, looking at the vast ocean ahead.

Alright. Dinner with my scent matches who are also my business partners. No pressure.

My phone vibrates against my hip. I pull it out, grateful for the distraction.

Elena: We just sailed past the most incredible sunset near Maui! Mom's already planning to move here permanently. Julian has her trying some fancy wine from his collection. Living her best life!

A photo follows: Rose on a yacht deck, arms spread wide like she's hugging the wind. She looks radiant.

Me: Looks like an amazing trip! Have the best time!

Elena: Thanks! Oh BTW, Dorian's lawyer recommendation is Naomi Quinn. She's apparently brilliant. Sending her info now.

I tap the website link, and—Holy shit.

Harvard Law. Yale undergrad. Corporate pack law specialist with offices in New York, London, Tokyo. And somehow, a boutique practice here in Hawaii. Her client list includes names I recognize from business magazines.

I navigate to her contact form and type quickly: Seeking immediate consultation for unique pack/business hybrid contract. Urgent. No predefined budget cap.

Just as I hit send, the sound of an approaching engine pulls my attention to the water.

A sleek boat cuts through the darkening ocean toward the dock, its chrome railings catching the last rays of sunlight. Three figures stand on deck, and my breath catches.

Keanu leans against the railing, white linen shirt unbuttoned at the collar, the wind playing with his hair. He spots me and his face breaks into that sunshine grin, waving enthusiastically.

Josh hovers near the helm in a navy polo that makes his eyes look even warmer. He pushes his glasses up before giving me a wave that's somehow both awkward and eager.

And Noa. God, Noa. He stands at the wheel in a black henley that shows every line of muscle as he steers. When our eyes meet, he smiles, never breaking eye contact as he guides the boat alongside the dock.

The engine cuts and water laps gently against the hull in the sudden quiet.

"Permission to come aboard?" I call out, trying for playful confidence.

"Triply granted," Keanu laughs, already stepping onto the dock and extending his hand with an exaggerated bow. "My queen."

Heat floods my face as I take his hand. Josh appears at my other side, hovering near my elbow.

"The gap can be tricky," he says, gesturing to the space between dock and boat.

I step forward, and my heel catches slightly on the dock's edge.

"Whoa—"

Both their hands tighten instantly, Keanu's on mine, Josh's gentle but firm on my elbow, keeping me perfectly steady.

"Got you," Josh says softly.

"My heroes," I tease, finding my balance and stepping smoothly onto the deck.

Pink spreads from Josh's cheeks down his neck. "The deck can be slippery."

"He's adorable," Keanu says to me in a stage whisper. "Did you know he made us test three different boats for the 'optimal stability rating'?"

"The first two had insufficient shock absorption. The wave patterns in this area can cause a fifteen to twenty degree roll in smaller vessels—"

"Translation," Noa calls from the wheel, laughter in his voice, "Josh was worried you might get seasick, so he found the most stable boat in the entire Hawaiian islands."

I turn to Josh who's now next to me and press a kiss to his cheek. "That's incredibly thoughtful."

"It's—it's the least I can do," Josh mumbles, his pink flush darkening to a deep red.

I settle onto a leather bench at the stern. Josh sits across from me, and Keanu drops beside him with easy grace.

"Ready to set sail, beautiful people?" Noa calls out, his grin infectious.

The engine rumbles back to life. Noa guides us away from the dock and the resort and dock begin to shrink behind us, their lights becoming constellations along the dark coastline.

I breathe deeply, letting the gentle rock of the boat and the sound of water soothe me. When the wind picks up, I pull my clutch closer to ward off the chill.

Keanu notices immediately. "Cold?" He reaches behind his seat and produces a soft cream cardigan. "Thought you might need this."

"Thank you." I slip it on, and despite the blockers we've all taken, I catch the faintest hint of his scent clinging to the fabric. Without thinking, I pull the collar closer and breathe it in.

As dusk deepens, stars begin appearing overhead, more than I've ever seen, even in Lakeview's nature. Out here, with no light pollution, the sky looks infinite.

"Look." Josh points ahead. "There."

A sandbar rises from the dark water, illuminated by what must be a hundred torches. As we approach, details emerge: a wooden pier extending into the water, and at the end, a pavilion that seems to float on the ocean itself.

"That's the restaurant?" My voice comes out hushed, awed. "It's magical."

"All ours for tonight," Noa says with quiet pride. "One table. One chef. Complete privacy."

The boat glides to the pier where a staff member waits to catch the rope Noa tosses. The torches reflect on the water, creating pools of golden light that dance with each ripple.

"Your carriage has arrived, princess," Noa says with a playful bow.

Josh hops onto the pier first, immediately turning to offer his hand. I take it, and Keanu's palm finds the small of my back, warm and steady as I step down.

The pavilion ahead glows like a lantern, and as we get closer, I see a single table set with crystal that catches the firelight, delicate white orchids floating in glass bowls between each place setting.

"This is insane," I breathe.

"Good insane?" Josh asks, an anxious note creeping into his voice.

"Very good insane."

My alphas' faces light up with obvious pleasure.

A server appears, pulling out my chair, and the men settle around me.

"Champagne?" the server asks softly.

"Please," I say, chuckling nervously at the opulence of the place.

The server disappears into the shadows at the edge of the pavilion, returning shortly with flutes filled with pale gold bubbles.

"To new beginnings," Noa raises his glass, "and to taking chances on what matters."

Crystal chimes as we toast. The champagne explodes across my tongue, its bubbles bursting with hints of green apple and honey. I let it linger, savoring both the taste and the moment.

"So," I say after a beat, setting down my glass with care, "how long have you three been together? As a pack, I mean."

"Eleven years officially," Noa says, leaning back in his chair. "But we grew up in the same village on the Big Island."

"Same street, actually," Keanu adds. "Josh lived three houses down from me."

"And Noa was around the corner," Josh continues. "We were inseparable from age five."

"Even when Josh discovered computers and basically forgot the outside world existed," Keanu teases.

Josh rolls his eyes dramatically. "A gross exaggeration."

"You practically got vitamin D deficiency," Noa jumps in, grinning wickedly. "In Hawaii."

"What? No way." I laugh as Josh's face scrunches in mock outrage.

"He lived on instant ramen and energy drinks for three months," Noa tells me, leaning closer conspiratorially. "We had to stage an intervention."

The server returns with the first course: paper-thin slices of ruby-red ahi arranged like rose petals, garnished with microgreens and dots of citrus-soy reduction.

"Oh my god," I say after the first bite melts on my tongue.

"Wait until you taste the main course," Keanu grins.

As we eat, conversation flows easily. They tell me about growing up together, about building their company in Noa's garage, about the day they sold it and couldn't believe the number of zeros on the check.

"What made you decide to sell the company?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"We accomplished what we set out to do," Noa says thoughtfully. "Our families were secure. Our community had what it needed. It was time for something new."

"And that something new is... investing in new ventures?"

"Among other things," Josh says, brightening. "I'm perfecting coffee roasting. Did you know that a two-degree temperature difference can completely alter the chemical composition of the beans?"

"He's obsessed," Keanu mock-whispers to me.

"Says the man who spent six months hand-shaping a single surfboard," Josh counters.

"But you should see that board…" Keanu says with pride.

Noa shakes his head fondly. "I spend a lot of my free time playing music and making instruments. Ukuleles, mostly."

"You make them?" I lean forward, intrigued.

"By hand. Every piece." His eyes hold mine. "I could show you my workshop sometime, if you'd like ."

The way his voice drops on the last words sends heat racing up my neck. I take a quick sip of champagne to cover it.

The main course arrives: local fish that flakes perfectly, accompanied by roasted vegetables I don't recognize but that burst with sweetness.

My God, it's delicious.

"Can I ask you something?" I say between bites of what might be the best fish I've ever tasted.

"Anything," all three say in unison.

"What do you really think about my franchise idea? Honestly."

"We meant every word earlier," Noa says without hesitation. "Yes, finding out you're our scent match makes us want to support you. But Mia, we researched your salon before inviting you. We were prepared to discuss business."

"Originally we thought about partnering on the hair oil or buying your salon," Josh adds. "But your franchise project has potential."

"Good thing you're on board, because I never would have sold you know," I laugh. "That salon is my entire life."

"We know that now," Keanu says warmly. "Your project has more potential anyway."

"Speaking of which," Noa adds, "we have a meeting scheduled tomorrow with an expert. Eleven thirty AM. To start the franchise rollout planning."

"You don't waste time." My voice drops, not quite intentionally. "I like that in business partners."

All three sit up straighter. Noa's pupils dilate noticeably.

"We aim to please," he says, voice rougher than before.

"All the meeting details will be under your door when you get back tonight," Josh adds.

"Still keeping things mysterious I see." I let my smile turn a bit wicked. "I like it."

"We're like that," Keanu says, his voice dropping lower. "A little mystery makes everything more interesting."

The server clears our plates, pulling me out of my daze, and presents dessert: an architectural marvel of dark chocolate, filled with orange-scented ganache.

I take a bite and my eyes flutter closed involuntarily. Rich, dark chocolate melts on my tongue, the citrus notes creating a perfect contrast that draws out an involuntary moan.

Not without surprise, when I open my eyes, I find myself the center of three very focused stares that make my skin tingle.

"Good?" Noa asks, his voice decidedly huskier.

"In—incredible," I manage.

The way they're watching me, like I'm the actual dessert, makes the temperature seem to rise ten degrees.

As the candles burn lower and we linger over empty dessert plates, I realize how perfect this evening feels. The conversation, the food, these three amazing alphas, everything about tonight feels like the beginning of something extraordinary.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow, we start building an empire.