#Chapter 48: Apologies
Karl

Surrounded by the familiar hustle and bustle of the restaurant, I steal glances at Abby from behind the

dishwashing station. She’s busy overseeing the lunch rush, offering a smile to a customer here and a

kind word to an employee there. From the outside, she appears so composed, as if nothing could break

her stride.

My source had informed me earlier: Adam kept his word and broke up with Abby after all.

If that’s true, Abby seems to be hiding it well. Or maybe she doesn’t feel as upset as I thought she

would.

This could be a good thing. Maybe I won’t need to wait as long to make my move.

Lost in thought, I find myself wandering to her office during a slow point in the evening, just before the

dinner rush. The door is ajar, and I can see her leaning over some paperwork. Summoning some

courage, I push it open fully and walk in.

She looks up, momentarily startled. “Karl? What are you doing here?”

“Checking on you,” I answer with a smirk, trying to inject some flirtation into my voice. “Heard you’re

single again.”

Her brows furrow, and she immediately stiffens. “And what if I am?” she challenges, her tone sharp.

“It’s none of your business.”

I lean against the doorway, trying to appear casual. “Thought maybe…” I trail off suggestively, tilting my

head and attempting a playful grin. “Maybe this is our chance.”

She pushes herself away from the desk, standing up abruptly. “Don’t, Karl. Just because I’m single now

doesn’t mean I’m open to… whatever it is you’re suggesting.”

Abby’s words are harsh, but I can see right through them. The way that her cheeks turn red when she

looks at me, the way her chest heaves ever so slightly. “C’mon, Abby,” I murmur, striding toward her.

“We’ve missed each other for so long. You know it’s inevitable that we get back together. Why not

now?”

For a moment, Abby and I are standing incredibly close. She smells like ci nnamon, and she’s got a fine

layer of lipgloss on. I could kiss her right now.

But before I can, she shoves me away. “F uck off, Karl. I’m not interested.”

up. “How will I ever get you to love me again,

me

seemingly torn between

think it’ll ever happen. But if you’re so desperate for an answer…” She

by apologizing to Daisy, the waitress you belittled. And maybe,

who don’t fit into

a combination of shame and frustration. “Is

“It’s a

a figure appears in the doorway. Chloe, her

here?”

just about to apologize to Daisy for his

comments. Weren’t you, Karl?”

groan inwardly but nod. “Yeah,

eyebrow, clearly surprised. “Alright then,” she says, leading the way. “Follow

down tables. As we approach, she looks up, her gaze

wasn’t expecting

I start, “Daisy, I… I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you. It

out

clearly amused. “Got a

of red. “It’s not

“Well, thanks for

you speak next

thoroughly

a chuckle, her eyes dancing with mirth. She’s clearly

good here, Karl?”

still embarrassed.

I can’t help but think about Abby. It wasn’t

me again, it was also about being a better man.

apologize to Daisy, I

office door on my way to the kitchen.

inside.

from the paperwork, and she regards

almost challenging her. “Just

smile plays on her lips, but

help but push further. “So,

one little apology isn’t going to bridge

genuine act

future.”

hard, I muster up

eyes soften just a touch, but her voice remains firm. “Trying isn’t enough. You need

on your actions and show consistent effort. Only then

nod, absorbing her words. It’s a

attention shifts to the clock on the wall. “Dinner rush should be starting

Get back

reply, “Alright, alright.

face is stern. “Don’t

is a frenzy of activity, the clang of pots and pans echoing through

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