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.”

looks away, his face turning a slight shade

my voice soft.

isn’t going to keep me away. And my

me tonight.”

a long moment, his brown eyes

on his face, making him look older,

he starts, choosing his words carefully. “It’s not about your determination

you need to

the beeping

I feel a pang of nostalgia.

were neatly wound around one another. Now, it feels like a tangle,

all mussed together.

what keeps me going. When

that pulls me through. If I back down now,

myself? To my staff?”

just that… when I saw that fire, when I saw

hell out of

words send a pang through my chest. Without

for your concern, truly. But the best way you can support

is to understand.”

silent for a moment, absorbing my words.

up, a determined glint

condition.”

an eyebrow. “Which

you. If you’re going back to that restaurant, I’m staying

smile tugs at my lips.

greets us, a stark

in the distance, the gentle hum of traffic

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

asks, one last

reply with

drive back to the restaurant is filled with comfortable silence, the kind that comes with

into a

street corner

outline of my restaurant comes into view, I feel a mixture of anxiety and excitement.

a testament to my

out front, his gaze fixed

I reply with

Servers move with

air. I can

tension in his shoulders.

I enter, relief flooding

didn’t I?” I reply

amused smile on his lips. “You truly are something else,

given up, you

you find something that really matters to

shakes his head in wonder. “You never cease to