Page 34 of His Sold Fated Mate

Rachel moved in closer. “Word is you were a sex worker.”

I rolled my eyes. “Jesus, am I ever going to live that down? I am not a sex worker. How did that even get started?”

Rachel scrunched up her nose. “Someone overheard Cal on the phone about Klaus’s call back to him. Words likely got mixed up.”

“I was in between jobs at the moment. I wasn’t exactly in a healthy relationship.”

Cally’s face dropped. “Shit, really?”

I nodded. “But before my ex, I was an interior designer.”

Both of their eyes widened. “Seriously!?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I was decent at it. I loved going into people’s houses and helping them put together a place they loved. I was at the top of my field and had lines of clients.”

And Mike happened. I remembered the weird list that followed. One client couldn’t find the $10,000 crystal ball on her mantel. Another called, explaining that her husband’s family heirloom watch had disappeared. And soon, the client started canceling because word got around.

I’d been so pissed at Mike, but he swore it hadn’t been him. He instead turned the conversation around, making me look like I was insane. I’d believed him until I saw the watch he was wearing. By then, I was in too deep to get myself out.

I shook my head, not wanting to think about that. The life before Mike was long gone, but the wounds he’d left me with were still fresh. I’d given up so much, and I often felt like a hollow shell.

“Why don’t you start doing that again?”

I shrugged. “I’ve been out of it for a while. It’s hard to get back into it after you’ve been out for as long as I have. So many things have changed.”

“I’m sure you could do it. And I would love it if you would start with my place.” Cally begged. “I can’t decorate to save my life.”

My eyebrows went up. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to think I’m some big hotshot when I’m not. Everything I was doing is likely out of style. I wouldn’t even know what looks good.”

She nodded. “Yes, I need the help. And even if it doesn’t work out, we tried.”

We headed down the road, deciding to walk rather than drive to lunch. Cally explained what she wanted changed and what she liked.

We stopped at a light, and Cally beamed. “Oh, look! It’s my brother, Tom.” She pulled her hand up to wave. A block ahead of us on the corner were two guys, but it didn’t look like the conversation was going well.

“He doesn’t look like he’s in a good mood,” Rachel stated, her eyebrows scrunching together. “He kind of looks pissed.”

Cally shrugged. “He probably just had a long day so far. He’s a firefighter.”

I could see the happiness in Cally’s eyes. I never understood the relationship between siblings, but being an only child would do that.

She continued to wave, but he didn’t look our way. Instead, he grabbed the guy by his shirt and shoved him back. Cally’s arm dropped, and she frowned. “What is he doing?”

“Oh, my god.” Rachel’s eyes widened. “Is he going to fight that guy? Cally, it looks like he’s going to fight him.”

Cally shook her head. “God no, Tom is sweet. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding.”

I frowned, watching as her brother shoved the guy down. Whatever was happening didn’t look good either way.

“Oh shit.” My jaw dropped.

But before we could respond or even understand what was going on, Klaus appeared there. He pulled the two apart and placed his hands up, stepping between them.

My eyes looked him over, unable to stop my head from thinking about the kiss. I clenched my legs together, feeling heat forming below.

I watched the way his arms moved, and his shadow covered the two guys. Klaus was tall, but having him standing next to another tall guy really put his height into perspective.

I suddenly couldn’t breathe as I watched him lean toward Tom. I could see his stern expression and how firm he was. It stirred something inside me.