Page 37 of Knot Your Sunshine
She's quiet for a long moment, the breeze playing with her hair. Then something shifts in her expression, determination replacing uncertainty.
"If we do this, and I'm not saying yes yet, I have conditions."
We all nod eagerly.
"First, the business backing has to be real. I want you to invest enough to give it a real chance of success, and I want the help of an expert too."
"Of course, Sunshine," Keanu says earnestly. "We wouldn't do it any other way. Plus, I have complete faith in what you can build."
"And we already contacted a franchise consultant," Noa adds, pulling out his phone to show her the email thread. "He's on standby, ready to fly here as soon as you give the word."
"We'll fund everything, no exception," I blurt out. "Initial investment, marketing, legal fees, everything."
She nods slowly. "Okay. Second." Pink touches her cheeks, and it's adorable. "The scent thing. It's... overwhelming. I needto take things slowly. Get to know you as people, not just as whatever biology is screaming at us to be."
"You want us to keep taking scent blockers," I say, understanding immediately.
She nods. "Half doses, like before. I think it's a smart approach, it lets our natural chemistry work while keeping our heads clear enough to see if we genuinely like each other beyond the biological pull. I'll take them too, obviously."
Oh, Sunshine, if you only knew how far past "liking" I've already sailed…
"That's reasonable," I say instead, adjusting my glasses.
"More than reasonable," Keanu agrees.
"And third." She straightens, all business now. "I want a contract. For both the business arrangement and... the personal one."
I actually laugh, delighted. "You want to contract this… thing?"
"Is that weird?"
"It's brilliant."
"Thank you." She smiles and my heart flutters. "I know it's a little extreme, but having everything clearly defined will help me feel safe about all of this."
"Anything you want," Noa says, his shoulders relaxing as he meets her eyes. "We'll cover all the legal costs, obviously. Spare no expense."
She steps away from the railing, moving closer, and my skin prickles with awareness. She's still three feet away, but I swear I can feel her warmth.
"Awesome," she smiles, looking pleased. "I'll reach out to a lawyer so we can get the paperwork started."
"Awesome." Noa's face lights up as he claps his hands together. "And what do you say we celebrate this with dinner tonight? There's this incredible restaurant on a sandbar, just a ten-minute boat ride from here."
"I'd say it sounds terribly romantic," she teases. "Aren't we taking things slow?"
"You could invite Elena and her pack," I suggest. "Make it less of a three-on-one. More like... a friendly group dinner."
She laughs, and the sound makes my chest expand. "I like that idea."
Another strong breeze carries her scent directly to us, and I see all three of us lean forward involuntarily.
"Eight o'clock?" Noa asks. "We'll meet at the marina, by the boats."
"Eight." She backs toward the path, still smiling. "And gentlemen? Those blockers? Take them before dinner, please."
She disappears around the bend, leaving three grown men standing there like we've been hit by a very small, very beautiful tornado.
"Did that just happen?" Keanu asks, dazed.
