Page 99 of Knot Your Karma
“And if it doesn’t show up?”
“Then you keep building an amazing life. You watch over the best antique shop on the East Coast with Fate, you take care of this community that loves you, you travel to weird estate sales and find treasures other people overlooked.” I pull her into another hug, breathing in the scent of coffee and friendship and all the years we’ve shared, feeling her arms tighten around me with fierce affection. “And you know that somewhere in Boston, your best friend is living her dream and thinking about you every single day.”
“I love you, you know that?”
“I love you too. Always.”
We hold the hug for a long moment, tears that feel like release rather than grief blurring my vision as something beautiful transforms between us. Her heartbeat steadies against my shoulder, coffee scent settling into something warm and grateful.
When we break apart, Destiny wipes her eyes with precisemovements to preserve her makeup and reaches for the next box with renewed determination.
“All right,” she says, voice stronger than it’s been all afternoon, “let’s get you packed up and ready for your fancy new life. Someone’s got to make sure you don’t forget anything important.”
“Like what?”
“Like the fact that you’re amazing, and you deserve everything good that’s happening, and you’re going to be absolutely incredible at this new job.” She pauses. “Like the fact that no matter how far away you go, you’ve got family here who loves you.”
“I won’t forget,” I promise, the words carrying the weight of vows. “How could I?”
We work in comfortable silence for a while, packing up the pieces of my old life to carry into my new one. Outside, Anchor’s Rest prepares for Christmas—lights strung between streetlamps casting rainbow patterns on the snow-dusted sidewalks, wreaths on every door releasing the scent of pine through closed windows, the kind of small-town holiday magic that makes everything feel possible.
Soon, I’ll stand in front of this community and formally bond with my pack. After the new year, we’ll be settled in Boston, starting the next chapter of our story.
But today, I’m here with my best friend, thoughtfully wrapping up the past and preparing for a future that’s brighter than anything I ever dared imagine.
Today, I feel settled in a way that probably sounds cheesy but is absolutely true, as if every piece of my life is finally clicking into place.
Karma
“No, not like that,”I say gently, watching Fate fumble with the antique ship’s clock for the third time this morning. “You want to support the base while you’re polishing the brass. These pieces have been through enough—they don’t need us adding stress fractures.”
Fate nods seriously, adjusting her grip. She’s been at the shop for two hours, and already I can see why Reed spoke so highly of her—quiet competence mixed with genuine curiosity about the work. Her movements are precise without being nervous, focused without being obsessive.
“Like this?” she asks, demonstrating the proper technique.
“Perfect. You’re a natural at this.” I smile. “The key is remembering that everything in here has a story. Your job isn’t just to clean or organize—it’s to honor the history while preparing these pieces for their next chapter.”
“That’s a beautiful way to think about it,” Fate says softly, fingers tracing the clock’s brass details. “Reed mentioned you have an unusual perspective on antiques.”
“Reed talks too much,” I say with fond exasperation, but I’m smiling. “Though he’s not wrong. I’ve always believed that objects choose their people as much as people chooseobjects. These pieces are waiting for the right person to walk through that door.”
The shop bell chimes, and both Fate and I look up expectantly.
Instead of a customer, Sterling walks in with Declan close behind him.
“Karma,” Sterling says warmly, his smile genuine and paternal as he removes his leather gloves. “I hope you don’t mind the interruption. I wanted to take a look at your inventory before we finalize the authentication protocols for your new position.”
“Of course!” I set down the pricing gun I’d been using to organize estate sale finds, the small click echoing in the shop’s comfortable quiet. “Fate, this is Sterling Ashworth, my new employer. Sterling, this is Fate Santos—Reed’s sister. She’s going to be helping run the shop while I’m working for you.”
“A pleasure,” Sterling says, shaking Fate’s hand with old-fashioned courtesy, his grip firm but not overwhelming. “Any relation to Reed is welcome in my circle. Your brother speaks very highly of your organizational skills.”
Fate blushes, mumbling something polite about being excited to learn the business. I can already tell she’s going to fit in perfectly—quiet competence with just enough curiosity to make the work interesting, plus that Santos family ability to make people feel instantly comfortable.
“I was hoping to examine some of the maritime pieces you mentioned,” Sterling continues, his collector’s excitement evident in the way his eyes automatically catalog the visible inventory. “Particularly anything with unusual provenance. I have several authentication projects coming up that might benefit from comparative analysis.”
“Absolutely. Most of the really interesting pieces are in the back room—I keep them away from casual browsers who might not appreciate their significance.” I gesture toward the curtained doorway that leads to my storage andassessment area, already moving in that direction. “Declan, would you mind helping me move some of the heavier items?”
“Of course,” Declan says. “Lead the way.”
