Page 39 of Knot Your Sunshine
"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."
