Page 25 of Knot Your Sunshine
The thought sits like lead in my stomach. Not just for me, but for Josh who came back from the airport practically floating. For Keanu, who couldn't hide the wonder in his eyes after his surfing session.
We're already gone for her. Completely, irrevocably lost.
If she walks away...
"Stop." I press my palms against the cool glass, grounding myself. The ocean churns below, black and restless as my thoughts, the bioluminescence now dormant.
She kissed me back. That wasn't politeness or curiosity. She'd climbed into my lap, her hands fisted in my shirt. An omega doesn't kiss an alpha like that unless she feels the pull.
I grab my phone and open our pack group chat, typing quickly:
My suite. Now.
Time to move this forward officially. Together.
* * *
Keanu strolls in first, wearing pajama shorts with cartoon pineapples on them. "Bro, you interrupted a very important oil-smelling session. I was achieving new levels of zen." He flops onto my couch, making himself at home. "This better be good."
Josh follows seconds later, fumbling with his glasses while clutching his tablet. "I was devising an algorithm to predict optimal coffee bar encounter timing for tomorrow morning. 8:23 AM shows the highest probability of—"
"I already met her."
Josh's tablet slips from his fingers. He lunges forward, catching it inches from the marble floor in a move that's surprisingly athletic. "What?" His voice cracks.
Keanu sits bolt upright, suddenly wide awake. "Tonight? When?"
"About an hour ago." I lean against the window, arms crossed, trying to look calmer than I feel. "Saw the bioluminescent plankton from my balcony. Figured she'd be drawn to it too."
"So you what, just went there?" Keanu asks, eyes narrowed.
"Grabbed my ukulele, went to my usual spot, lit a fire." I shrug, fighting a smile. "Figured if she came down to see the lights, she'd be curious enough to investigate if she heard me."
Keanu's jaw drops. "You improvised? Mr. Strategic-Planning-For-Everything just... winged it?"
"Got inspired by your approach, actually." I nod to him. "Have a plan, but trust your instincts when opportunity strikes."
"And?" They both lean forward like kids waiting for the end of a bedtime story.
"She appeared at the edge of the firelight like a water sprite. Bare feet, white cover-up floating around her legs, glowing water literally dripping from her hands."
"Holy shit," Keanu breathes.
Josh bounces on his toes, tablet forgotten. "And then? What happened then?"
"We talked. I played for her." The memory makes my chest tight in the best way. "And then..." A grin breaks free despite everything. "We kissed."
The room explodes.
"You KISSED her?" Josh's voice hits a pitch I didn't know he could reach.
Keanu launches himself off the couch and grabs my shoulders, shaking me. "Was it incredible? Tell me everything. Every. Single. Detail."
"She tastes like sunshine and sin." The words come out reverent, awed. "Sweet with an edge. And guys..." I meet their eyes. "I have absolutely no doubt. She's our scent match."
Josh lets out a whoop and collapses onto the couch, laughing in celebration like when we sold our company. Keanu does this ridiculous celebratory jump, clicking his heels together mid-air like a leprechaun who's found gold.
Watching my pack brothers celebrate makes warmth spread through my chest, which is why what I have to say next feels like swallowing glass.
