Page 5 of Knot Your Karma
I know better than to argue when Destiny gets like this. I sweep the bills into the register, grab my jacket, and flip the wooden sign to CLOSED.
“It’s really not that dramatic,” I try as the key turns in the lock.
“Bullshit.” Her hand finds the small of my back, thumb rubbing small circles I didn’t know I needed. My breathing evens out despite the disaster spiraling through my head. “Start talking.”
We head down Main Street toward the harbor. She moves to my left side automatically, positioning herself between me and the street. The protective gesture makes something tight in my chest loosen.
“A customer came in today,” I start.
“Good customer or bad customer?”
“Complicated customer.”
She moves closer, her hand finding my elbow with that protective grip that always makes my breathing even out. “Honey, I don’t do complicated when it comes to people messing with you. It’s either good or I’m getting my baseball bat.”
I take a breath that tastes like salt air and courage I don’t have. “Remember Blake?”
Destiny stops walking so abruptly her sneakers squeak on the cobblestones. When I turn around, her expression shiftsfrom protective to murderous. Her dark hair with its seasonal auburn highlights catches the light, and burnt espresso radiates from her like a warning signal.
“Blake? Blake as in your narcissistic cheating ex-boyfriend Blake? Blake as in thependejowho makes me want to commit actual murder Blake?”
“That’s the one.”
“What the hell does that snake have to do with anything? Please tell me he didn’t show up at your shop, because I swear to God, Karma, I will—” then under her breath, “I look terrible in orange.”
“Not Blake.” I start walking again because standing still makes my skin crawl. “Blake’s brother.”
“Blake has a brother?” She catches up, moving like she’s herding me toward safety. “And let me guess—he’s just as much of a piece of shit as Blake?”
“Actually...” I twist my vintage bracelet until the chain bites into my wrist. “He seems really nice. Gorgeous, cedar-scented alpha who does historic preservation and looks at me like I might be something special. His name is Declan.” Not to mention that one whiff of his scent felt like coming home.
Her energy settles slightly, confusion replacing the immediate murder vibes. “Okay, back up. Hot alpha who thinks you’re amazing sounds like the opposite of a problem. Why are we in crisis mode?”
“Because he’s looking for something.”
“Looking for what?”
Here it is. The moment where my ride-or-die best friend finds out exactly how badly I screwed up.
I stop walking and turn to face her on the harbor overlook. “Blake’s family heirloom. A maritime compass that’s been in their family for five generations and is supposed to be part of Blake’s bonding ceremony this winter.”
Destiny’s eyes narrow to dark slits, and cinnamonsharpens with laser focus. “Okay, and this is relevant to you, how exactly?”
The words stick in my throat like peanut butter mixed with shame and panic. “Because I stole it.”
And there it is. The moment my best friend finds out I’m not just dramatic—I’m actually a criminal.
“Three months ago. When I was packing my stuff from Blake’s place, I saw it sitting on his nightstand, and I was so angry and hurt and I just...” My voice trails off because Destiny’s expression is changing, shifting from confusion to something else entirely.
For a moment, she just stares at me. Then her face breaks into a slow, vicious smile that transforms her whole appearance. She steps closer, and cinnamon scent wraps around me like armor forged from pure loyalty.
“Good for you,Mija.” Her voice drops to a satisfied purr that vibrates with approval. “That snake finally gets some of what he deserves.”
“Destiny, this isn’t?—”
“No, seriously.” She moves closer until her shoulder touches mine, creating a wall between me and the rest of the world. “He cheated on you for months while making you believe you were heading toward a bonding ceremony. He made you think there was something wrong with you for being a late bloomer. He destroyed your confidence and then acted like you were the problem when you found out about his cheating.”
“So screw him and screw his family compass. He’s lucky you only took one thing instead of burning his whole apartment down,” she adds with a nod.
