Page 98 of Knot Your Karma
“Local expertise,” Destiny repeats, testing the words. “Ilike the sound of that better than emergency backup in case everything goes wrong.”
“You’re not emergency backup. You’re the bridge between the old way and the new way, the person who makes sure What Goes Around stays connected to this community while evolving into something even better.” I resume packing, placing books into boxes. “Fate’s got the mystical intuition and the business sense. You’ve got the local knowledge and the customer relationships. Together, you’ll be unstoppable.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not easy. It’s terrifying and complicated and probably going to involve a lot of trial and error.” I pause, holding one of Grandma’s maritime history books, remembering all the evenings we spent reading together on this very couch, her voice bringing ancient sailors’ stories to life. The leather binding shows wear patterns from decades of thoughtful handling. “But some things are worth being brave for.”
Destiny nods, picking up a wrapped picture frame and studying it as if it holds answers to questions she hasn’t figured out how to ask yet. Her fingers trace the edges with unconscious gentleness. “Can I tell you something?”
“Always.”
“I’m going to miss you. Not just having you here, but... being your primary support system. Being the person you call when things go wrong or when you need to celebrate good news.” Her voice wavers slightly, coffee scent going complex with barely contained emotion. “I know you have pack now, real family, people who love you in ways I never could. And I’m happy about that, I really am. But I’m also sad about not being your most important person anymore.”
“Des.” I set down a book and give her my complete attention. “You’re not being replaced. You’re not becoming less important. You’re... you’re evolving from being my lifeline to being my chosen family. That’s different, not less.”
“How?”
“Before, I needed you to survive. Now I get to love you by choice, without desperation or fear that you’ll leave if I’m not perfect enough.” I reach for her hands again. “You’re going to be Aunt Destiny to whatever babies we have someday. You’re going to be the person I call when I need perspective that only comes from years of friendship. You’re going to be pack in all the ways that matter, just from a different position.”
“Aunt Destiny,” she repeats, and for the first time today, her smile reaches her eyes, transforming her entire face with genuine joy. “I like the sound of that.”
“Good, because it’s happening whether you like it or not. No one knows me like you do, Des. No one else has the history, the shared experiences, the ability to call me on my bullshit.” I grin, feeling lighter than I have all week. “Pack is amazing, but pack needs friends who knew you before you became who you are now.”
“Wise words from someone who six months ago was convinced she was destined to die alone surrounded by vintage maritime equipment.”
“Hey, that’s still not entirely off the table. I just won’t be alone anymore.”
We laugh, and it feels like healing—not from something broken, but from the natural growing pains that come with life changing in beautiful, unexpected ways. The sound echoes off the kitchen walls, until the whole room feels lighter.
“So,” Destiny says, reaching for another book to pack with renewed energy, “when do I get to meet the infamous Sterling Ashworth? Reed mentioned he’s coming to the bonding ceremony.”
“Christmas Eve. Along with my mother, which should be interesting.” I pause, considering the implications while my hands automatically organize books by size and subject. “Actually, scratch that. It should be legendary. Two people who’ve been in love for thirty years, finally in the same roomagain, surrounded by pack and family and holiday emotions.”
“Think they’ll figure their shit out?”
“I think they’re both too stubborn and too scared to make it easy, but yeah. Eventually.” I smile, thinking about Sterling’s hopeful expression and Mom’s admission that she never stopped loving him. “Sometimes the universe just needs a little help connecting the dots.”
“Speaking of connecting dots,” Destiny says with studied casualness, her voice taking on that particular tone that means she’s about to say something she thinks is scandalous, “any chance this bonding ceremony is going to involve single groomsmen? Asking for a friend.”
“Des.”
“What? I’m not saying I’m ready for pack bonding, but I’m not dead! If there are going to be attractive, emotionally available men at this thing, I reserve the right to appreciate the view.” She straightens her shoulders with renewed confidence, coffee scent brightening with mischief.
I laugh, shaking my head with amusement. “Reed’s got two brothers and a male cousin. Declan’s got some Marine buddies. Adrian’s got his mysterious Vermont craftsman network. You’ll have plenty of view to appreciate.”
“Mysteriously attractive craftsmen,” Destiny muses, her eyes taking on a speculative gleam. “I could work with that.”
“Just... promise me you won’t run away if one of them turns out to be genuinely interested? Promise me you’ll give yourself permission to be open to possibilities?”
Destiny considers this, wrapping another book with the thoughtful attention of someone buying time to think. Her movements slow as she processes the request, coffee scent going complex with consideration.
“I promise to try,” she says finally, meeting my eyes with what I’m choosing to interpret as determination because I need her to be okay with this. “I can’t promise I won’t panicand hide in the bathroom if someone actually flirts with me, but I promise to try staying in the same room.”
“That’s all I can ask for.” I tape up the completed book box and label it in my own handwriting—a small act of claiming ownership over my new life. “Besides, you know what they say about the universe and cosmic timing.”
“What do they say?”
“That the best things happen when you’re not looking for them. When you’re focused on building a life you love instead of desperately searching for someone to complete it.” I gesture around the kitchen, where evidence of my life with pack sits in properly labeled boxes, ready for the next adventure. Sunlight catches the tape, making it gleam like a promise. “Six months ago, I was convinced I needed to have everything figured out before I deserved love. Turns out, I just needed to be brave enough to accept it when it showed up.”
