Page 42 of Knot Your Sunshine
"Ready to set sail, beautiful people?" Noa calls out, his grin infectious.
The engine rumbles back to life. Noa guides us away from the dock and the resort and dock begin to shrink behind us, their lights becoming constellations along the dark coastline.
I breathe deeply, letting the gentle rock of the boat and the sound of water soothe me. When the wind picks up, I pull my clutch closer to ward off the chill.
Keanu notices immediately. "Cold?" He reaches behind his seat and produces a soft cream cardigan. "Thought you might need this."
"Thank you." I slip it on, and despite the blockers we've all taken, I catch the faintest hint of his scent clinging to the fabric. Without thinking, I pull the collar closer and breathe it in.
As dusk deepens, stars begin appearing overhead, more than I've ever seen, even in Lakeview's nature. Out here, with no light pollution, the sky looks infinite.
"Look." Josh points ahead. "There."
A sandbar rises from the dark water, illuminated by what must be a hundred torches. As we approach, details emerge: a wooden pier extending into the water, and at the end, a pavilion that seems to float on the ocean itself.
"That's the restaurant?" My voice comes out hushed, awed. "It's magical."
"All ours for tonight," Noa says with quiet pride. "One table. One chef. Complete privacy."
The boat glides to the pier where a staff member waits to catch the rope Noa tosses. The torches reflect on the water, creating pools of golden light that dance with each ripple.
"Your carriage has arrived, princess," Noa says with a playful bow.
Josh hops onto the pier first, immediately turning to offer his hand. I take it, and Keanu's palm finds the small of my back, warm and steady as I step down.
The pavilion ahead glows like a lantern, and as we get closer, I see a single table set with crystal that catches the firelight, delicate white orchids floating in glass bowls between each place setting.
"This is insane," I breathe.
"Good insane?" Josh asks, an anxious note creeping into his voice.
"Very good insane."
My alphas' faces light up with obvious pleasure.
A server appears, pulling out my chair, and the men settle around me.
"Champagne?" the server asks softly.
"Please," I say, chuckling nervously at the opulence of the place.
The server disappears into the shadows at the edge of the pavilion, returning shortly with flutes filled with pale gold bubbles.
"To new beginnings," Noa raises his glass, "and to taking chances on what matters."
Crystal chimes as we toast. The champagne explodes across my tongue, its bubbles bursting with hints of green apple and honey. I let it linger, savoring both the taste and the moment.
"So," I say after a beat, setting down my glass with care, "how long have you three been together? As a pack, I mean."
"Eleven years officially," Noa says, leaning back in his chair. "But we grew up in the same village on the Big Island."
"Same street, actually," Keanu adds. "Josh lived three houses down from me."
"And Noa was around the corner," Josh continues. "We were inseparable from age five."
"Even when Josh discovered computers and basically forgot the outside world existed," Keanu teases.
Josh rolls his eyes dramatically. "A gross exaggeration."
