Page 41 of Knot Your Sunshine
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, aboutique 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.
