Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 43: True Passion
Abby

The antiseptic smell of the hospital surrounds me, a cold, clinical scent that seems to hang in the air. I

glance down at my arm, now wrapped in white gauze, the skin beneath it red and angry. The pain

pulses with every heartbeat, but it’s a dull, manageable ache for now.

“Abby, you should be heading home to rest,” the doctor’s firm voice breaks through my thoughts. He’s

an older man, silver hair and a gentle, fatherly demeanor. “That burn needs time to heal, and you need

time to recover.”

“I understand, doctor,” I reply, doing my best to sound appreciative. “Thank you.”

Karl waits just outside the small cubicle, flipping through a magazine. The fluorescent lights highlight

the worry lines on his forehead. He looks up as I emerge, magazine forgotten.

“All set?”

I nod, reaching for my jacket with my uninjured arm. Karl moves quickly to help, his fingers brushing

against mine. The touch is unintentional, but it sends a rush of warmth through me.

“Thanks,” I murmur, avoiding his gaze.

He just nods, his expression serious. “I’ll drive you home.”

But as I step into the corridor, the weight of unfinished business pulls at me. “Not home. Back to the

restaurant.”

He stops in his tracks, eyebrows shooting up in surprise. “Are you serious, Abby? After what you’ve just

been through?”

“The night isn’t over,” I reply firmly, pain making my voice sharper than intended. “The restaurant needs

me.”

Karl shakes his head, clearly struggling to comprehend my determination. “Let’s sit for a moment,” he

suggests, guiding me towards a set of chairs in the waiting area. It’s relatively quiet here, a few people

sca ttered about, absorbed in their own world of worry and waiting.

He waits for me to get settled before taking the seat next to me. “Abby, talk to me. Why do you feel the

need to go back there tonight? It’s just one night.”

I turn to face him, biting my lip. “You weren’t there when I opened up the restaurant.”

his face turning a slight shade of red.

voice soft. “It’s a

challenge I’ve faced. One disaster isn’t going to keep me away. And my

me tonight.”

brown eyes filled with a

room’s harsh lighting casts shadows on his face, making

“It’s not about your determination

to step back and take care of

hum of the hospital, the beeping of machines and

conversation. I feel a pang of nostalgia. It

were neatly wound around one another. Now,

all mussed together.

going. When I

down now, even

myself? To my staff?”

his hair. “It’s just that… when I saw that fire, when

It scared the hell out

through my chest. Without thinking, I reach out, placing a

And I’m grateful for your concern, truly. But the best way you can

is to understand.”

for a moment, absorbing my words. The m uffled sounds

Finally, he looks up, a determined glint in his eyes. “Fine,

condition.”

raise an

you’re going back to that restaurant,

at

greets us, a stark contrast to the sterile environment

glittering in the distance, the gentle hum of traffic a

parked nearby, and he holds the door open for me, ever

he asks, one

reply

the restaurant is filled with

into a cascade of lights and shadows, each

corner holding

into view,

a testament to

parks out front, his gaze

reply

the atmosphere is electric. Servers move with purpose, the kitchen hums with activity,

wafts through the air. I can see Jake

tension in his shoulders.

me as I enter, relief flooding

promised, didn’t I?” I reply with

smile on his lips. “You truly are something

up,

“That’s what happens when you find something

head in wonder. “You never