Chapter 18
Mioko
“What’s at the Honeyfern?” I asked, eyeing Luke and Eli as they led me toward the inn an hour later, their bodies close enough that I could feel their warmth through my coat. I was aware of every point of contact—Luke’s hand at the small of my back, Eli’s arm brushing against mine.
“Shh. Let us have our surprise,” Luke said. “We had a whole plan to get you to chase us here, but it seemed pointless after the whole romantic love confession.”
I ducked my chin into my scarf, cheeks flaming hot as my mind replayed my unhinged panic attack.
“Don’t worry, you’re not missing anything, his plan was idiotic,” Eli muttered. “There is no way you would have believed that Walt needed your help shoeing a horse.”
“But the part with the hayloft and the umbrella was genius. Mioko-inspired hijinks.”
“Umbrella?” I looked from Luke to Eli, but neither of them explained anything further. They just dragged me towards the inn.
Instead of heading toward the main entrance, they led me around the building to a separate door I’d always seen closed and locked on previous visits. My curiosity peaked as Eli pulled out a key and slid it into the lock.
“What are we—” I began, but the words died in my throat as the door swung open.
Light spilled out, warm and inviting. Eli gestured for me to enter first, and I stepped through the doorway, realizing the inn’s old gift shop had been completely transformed.
The walls were still the same soft pink shade, but freshly painted, gleaming in the light from new fixtures. The old carpet had been torn up, revealing beautiful honey-colored hardwood floors that looked original to the space. Clean, empty display cases lined the walls, their glass sparkling.
“What is this?” I whispered, turning in a slow circle to take it all in.
“It’s yours,” Eli said. “If you want it. Consider it a little bribe to convince you to stick around.”
I stared at Eli, certain I’d misheard. “Mine?”
Eli stepped forward, running a hand through his dark hair in that nervous gesture I’d recognize. “I remembered how charmed you were by the space the first time you saw it. And I could tell you were nervous about committing, so if it’s not the right timing that’s fine. We’ll find another renter.”
“But we fixed it up to make it a bit more tempting,” Luke added. “And if you’re thinking about staying, you have first dibs.”
Eli nodded. “It’s a short walk from town, right along the bike path, and tourists come through the inn year-round. Henry’s breakfast crowd is solid even in the off-season.”
“But I… This is too much.”
“I mean, you’d still be paying rent,” Eli said. “This isn’t charity, Mioko. It’s a business proposition. I think your shop would be an asset to the inn. We just wanted to show you how much we believe in you. In your business.”
I tilted my head, smirking at them. “What do you know about my business?”
“Oh, we know,” Luke said, grinning. “We’ve stalked you on all the socials. It’s quite impressive, the following you’ve built.”
I laughed, blinking back tears as I ran my hand over an antique display case. “You kept the pink.”
Eli’s mouth quirked into a half-smile. “Henry insisted. The pink is non-negotiable, in honor of my grandmother.”
“I like it,” I said, smiling through the tears. “I like that it has a history, a story.”
I followed them around as they pointed out things they’d done, already seeing the possibilities. My mind raced with ideas—how I’d arrange the space, what displays I’d build, which collections would feature prominently, and which vendors I’d invite to have their own displays at the shop.
“Why?” I asked finally, turning back to face them. “Why do this for me?”
They exchanged a glance, and I recognized the silent communication they’d perfected long before I entered their lives.
“Because we want you to stay,” Eli said. “We know you’re a little afraid of putting down roots, so we had to sweeten the pot.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered, tears finally spilling over. “Thank you. It’s beautiful. I love it.”
Eli crossed the room in three long strides, pulling me into his arms. “We’re not going to ask you to decide right now,” he murmured against my hair. “Run the numbers. Think it through.”
But I already knew my answer as Luke joined our embrace, his arms wrapping around both of us. For the first time in my life, running away was the furthest thing from my mind.
“There’s more,” Luke said, eyes bright with excitement as he took my hand. Eli led the way out of the gift shop, through the lobby, and back outside, toward the garage.
We climbed the familiar stairs—the same ones we’d ascended weeks ago when they’d “trapped” me in the apartment above the garage. I gasped as Eli swung the door open with a flourish.
The dusty, half-abandoned apartment was transformed. Gone were the yellowed curtains, the musty smell, and dated furniture. In its place stood a beautifully renovated living space that took my breath away.
Warm light from modern fixtures illuminated freshly painted walls in soft neutral colors that brightened the space.
The hardwood floors gleamed, and comfortable furniture sat around the refurbished fireplace in the corner, creating an inviting sitting area.
A kitchen with new appliances occupied one corner, separated from the living area by a breakfast bar topped with polished granite and a big, rustic farm-style table.
“How did you—when did you—?” I couldn’t form a complete question, stunned by the transformation.
“We’ve been working on it every spare minute since that day,” Eli explained, watching my face. “Luke found a contractor willing to rush the job for the right price, and we brought in the furniture and decor from his loft in Boston.”
I moved further into the space, taking it in. What had been a dusty time capsule weeks ago was now a warm, inviting home. Someone had even put up a small Christmas tree in the corner, decorated with simple white lights and wooden ornaments.
“I took the small office. I’m going to set up a consulting business,” Luke said, pointing through a side door.
Eli beckoned us to another door. “And the other spare room is empty,” he said, pushing it open to reveal a bare room with freshly painted white walls and large windows that would flood the space with natural light. “Available for whenever you decide you’re ready.”
I stepped inside, picturing my workbench against the wall, my tools arranged just so, and a comfy chair in the corner for reading or sketching designs. The windows would provide perfect light for intricate beadwork. It was the ideal workspace.
“We fixed up the primary bedroom, too,” Luke said.
He pushed the door open, revealing a spacious suite dominated by the largest bed I’d ever seen. It had to be custom made. It was wider than a king, with a sturdy frame built to withstand the activities of three enthusiastic adults.
“That’s ridiculous,” I blurted, staring at the enormous bed with its crisp white sheets and mountain of pillows. “Did you special order a California Super King?”
Eli’s laugh was low and warm. “We needed enough room for all of us.”
The implication sent heat pooling between my legs, memories of our night together flashing through my mind—the way they’d moved in sync, pleasuring me from both sides, filling me so completely I thought I might shatter.
“This is crazy,” I whispered, turning to face them. “We barely know each other.”
“What? We completely know each other!” Luke protested.
“But you’re right, this is all new,” Eli added. “Which is why we’re prepared to take things as slow as you like. The point in this is simply to let you know we’ve made space in our lives for you.”
“Why?”
“Because we’ve fallen for you,” Luke said, stepping closer. “We know you’re brave, kind, and fiercely independent. You make us laugh and challenge us to be better. When you’re with us, something clicks into place that’s been missing our whole lives.”
“We want you with us, Mioko. Both of us. We’re in love with you.”
“Love,” I echoed, the word catching in my throat.
“I love you too,” I admitted, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “Both of you. I’ve been watching you since I was a teenager, pushing you together, telling myself it was because you belonged together, but...”
“But you belong with us too,” Luke finished for me, cupping my cheek.
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
Instead, I rose on my tiptoes to kiss him, pouring everything I couldn’t say into it.
His mouth opened under mine, tongue sliding against my own, tasting faintly of Henry’s apple pie.
Behind me, Eli’s hands tightened on my hips, his lips finding the sensitive spot below my ear that made me shiver.
“Let us love you,” Eli murmured against my skin, his stubble creating delicious friction. “Let us show you how great it could be.”
I turned in their arms, capturing Eli’s mouth, moaning as his hands slid under my sweater to find bare skin. Luke pressed against my back, his cock hard against me through layers of clothing, his hands joined Eli’s in their exploration.
They undressed me slowly, reverently, their movements unhurried despite the desire in their eyes. When I stood naked before them, they took their time looking at me, their gazes like physical caresses on my skin.
“So beautiful,” Luke whispered, shedding his clothes with an efficiency that made me smile.
Eli followed suit, and we tumbled onto that ridiculous, perfect bed. Pillows flew everywhere, and the three of us tangled together in a heap of bare skin and laughter as they tore off each other’s clothes.