Page 55 of Knot Your Sunshine
"Thank you," I say, moving my feet gently in the water. "For all of this. The massage, the helicopter, this magical place... my franchise project. I know the test alone is costing a fortune."
"It's an investment," Noa says simply, leaning back against the smooth rock surface.
"In the business model?" I watch his face.
"In you," Josh says quietly. "The business is just bonus."
My chest tightens, my heart doing something complicated involving trying to escape through my ribs.
"So," Noa says, voice casual but eyes intense. "We were thinking, if you're interested, we'd like to take you on dates."
I stop moving my feet for a second. "Dates?" The word comes out breathless.
"Individual dates," Josh clarifies, pink spreading across his cheeks. "One-on-one. To get to know each other better."
"If you're interested of course," Keanu adds with a shy smile.
They're all watching me with expressions that make my skin tingle despite the cool water.
"When?" My voice is definitely breathier than intended.
"Starting tomorrow," Noa says. "We'll slip a note under your door tonight with details."
"All still very mysterious."
"We're committed to the theme," he grins.
I turn fully and look at them, these three incredible men who arranged all this magic and look committed to court me properly.
"Yes," I say, unable to stop smiling. "To all of it. To dates and mystery and notes under doors."
They light up simultaneously, like I've just handed them the world, and my stomach flutters with anticipation.
I can't wait.
Chapter twenty-two
Mia
"Clutch in, shift to second, now ease off—" Josh's voice stays calm even as the vintage Volkswagen Kombi protests with a grinding sound that makes me wince.
"This thing absolutely despises me." My knuckles go white on the steering wheel as we climb the mountain road.
"She's temperamental." Josh shifts closer, ostensibly to help with the gear shift. His thigh presses against mine, and I have to remind myself to breathe. "Here, let me—" His hand covers mine on the stick shift, guiding it into position.
The contact shouldn't affect me this much. It's just his hand. But his fingers are warm, and when his thumb brushes across my knuckles, heat shoots straight to my core.
"Try again." His voice has dropped lower. Is he affected too? "Less gas this time."
The engine catches. The van lurches but stays in gear, and I let out a victory whoop that makes him laugh.
"There you go." Josh's smile reaches his eyes, crinkling at the corners. "You two are becoming friends."
"Friends is generous, but I have to say learning to drive a stick is pretty cool." I smile as I navigate this teal-painted beast up the road, the lingering warmth from his touch making me hyperaware of his presence.
We crest a rise and the landscape opens up before us. My foot comes off the gas involuntarily.
"Oh my god, Josh."
