Page 32 of Knot Your Sunshine
"I want to build something bigger than a viral hair oil." My voice wavers, but I push through. "A franchise model that... that creates community. Safe spaces where people feel beautiful, valued."
I'm losing the thread, their scents making everything fuzzy.
"My grandmother built that in Lakeview. I want to... to scale it. Without losing the soul."
The prepared statistics won't come. The profit margins I memorized dissolve. All I have left is the feeling, the passion.
"You wouldn't just be investing in a salon," I manage, gripping the table again for support. "But in belonging."
Silence stretches. They look at each other, some silent communication passing between them that makes my chest tight with anxiety.
Then Noa nods. "We're in."
My mouth falls open. No words come out.
"Just like that?"
"The business case is intriguing," Josh says, though his eyes keep drifting to where I'm white-knuckling the table edge.
"But more than that," Keanu adds, "you believe in it. Your passion is obvious. And we know your salon is successful."
My anger wavers, cracks.
"But this isn't just about business, is it?" I ask, my arms getting sore.
"No," Noa admits, moving closer. I sway toward him involuntarily. "We're scent matches, Mia. That's real, and we want to explore it. Get to know each other properly. See where this goes." He pauses, and something in his expression softens. "But if you don't want that, if you only want the business partnership, we'll respect that. We'll help you build your empire and keep everything professional."
"I didn't think business would still be your priority after smelling us," Keanu chimes in. "But even so, give us a chance. Let us take you on dates. Mix business with pleasure." He pauses, then flashes a wicked grin. "We will absolutely spoil you senseless."
Being spoiled senseless sounds... God, it sounds amazing. But I can't think straight. Can't process any of this with their pheromones turning my brain to mush. Case in point, I'mthisclose to losing it and transforming this conference room into a maison close.
"I need time," I manage, the words coming out steadier than I feel. "This is... a lot."
That's it Mia, you're doing great. You need to think and you can't do that here, drowning in their scents.
"I need to go. Now."
I don't wait for a response. I turn and flee before their scents can pull me back, before I'm compelled to climb them like trees.
My fingers shake as I pull out my phone in the hallway and text Elena:
SOS. Meet me at the resort entrance in 10. Everything is insane.
Chapter twelve
Noa
I stare at the door Mia just fled through. Her scent still hangs in the air… mango and lavender mixed with something sharper, acidic. Distress. Fear. Maybe both.
"Well." I run both hands through my hair. "That didn't go exactly as planned."
Josh slumps into a conference chair like someone cut his strings. His glasses sit crooked on his nose, and his bottom lip juts out in what can only be described as a pout. "She didn't even stay to discuss the molecular structure of her formulation."
Keanu paces to the window, hands shoved deep in his pockets. "Did you see her face when we walked in? It was like she'd just discovered her surprise party was actually an intervention."
"Maybe we came on a bit strong," Josh mutters, spinning slowly in his chair.
My chest tightens, that same crushing sensation from last night when Mia pulled away from our kiss. When she looked at me with those violet eyes wide and conflicted before disappearing into the darkness. Just like she did thirty seconds ago.
