Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 49: Up Late
Abby

The morning sun bathes my office in a gentle glow as I dial Leah’s number, eager to discuss Chloe’s

upcoming birthday.

The phone rings a few times before Leah’s raspy voice picks up on the other end.

“Abby? That you?”

“Leah, hey,” I greet, trying to hide my concern. “You sound terrible. What’s up?”

She lets out a congested laugh. “Caught a nasty cold. I’m in bed, sipping on some horrid chicken soup.

Can’t believe I’m missing all the action.”

“That’s terrible,” I answer. “I was hoping you could help with Chloe’s party prep.”

A pause ensues, and I hear Leah sigh. “I wish I could, Abby. I had so many ideas, but right now I can

barely lift my head off the pillow.”

I let out a quiet chuckle, trying to keep the mood light. “Don’t worry about it. Just rest up and get better,

okay? We’ll need you at the party in top form.”

“What about the cake? I know you were keen on baking Chloe’s favorite, the red velvet one.”

“I’ve got it covered,” I assure her. “And the party details too. It’s a lot, but I can handle it.”

“You sure?” Leah sounds skeptical.

“It’s no big deal,” I reply, although a nagging feeling at the back of my mind suggests otherwise.

“Alright, if you say so. Just promise you won’t burn out.”

“I promise,” I say, although the weight of responsibility is already settling in my chest. “Oh, and I’ll be

over later to bring you some chicken soup that’s not horrid, okay?”

After ending the call, I immediately switch tasks, reaching for my phone again to book a karaoke place

for the party.

The man on the other end, Mr. Lin, sounds elderly, his voice raspy but jovial.

“Lin’s Karaoke. How can I help you?”

“Hello, Mr. Lin, I’d like to rent one of your rooms for a private party,” I begin, but before I can finish, the

door to my office swings open, revealing Chloe, looking puzzled.

“Abby, do you have a minute?” she asks, her eyes darting to the various party notes strewn across my

desk.

“Um,” I falter, my attention divided between Chloe and Mr. Lin. “Just a sec,” I tell him and turn my

attention to Chloe. “What’s up?”

fixed on my flustered expression. “I had a

busy—”

to raise her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin, “I’m sorry,

back?” I hang up without

her eyes, her

shrug, trying to push down the guilt. “Oh, just

you need?”

with her query about the

eyes on my desk, scanning the various notes and

from under a pile of papers—the

she asks, pointing at

the paper and stuff it into my pocket. “Oh, just some doodles. You

get when I’m brainstorming.”

further. “Alright. Well,

smirks, retreating

my chair, heart pounding. I pull out

The close calls are becoming

discovering everything grows

out a deep sigh, I consider my options. There’s no way

with Chloe around. Every single detail

and start stowing

have to stay late, work in the quiet

walking in on me.

darkening sky outside, I steel myself

her birthday, it’ll be

…

the dim light of my cluttered office, I sit hunched over a desk piled high with sc

and a half-finished cake

hum of the overhead light is the only sound accompanying my scribbles.

it’s past midnight, but

on my

abuzz with patrons and staff, feels

clatter from the kitchen.

me rests beside my workstation, our

warmth and laughter from that day feels a

atmosphere of

my thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality when a

wooden floor. I retrieve it, my fingers brushing against the

her overseas trips. Everything in this room

away, I refocus on the list of party essentials. String lights, floral

her favorite shade of sea blue… Every detail counts. The

a tangible weight on my

together, the surprise was spoiled.

bit of a milestone. I want it

distant clang echoes from the kitchen, followed

stretch, my muscles protesting from

scented cleaner wafts toward me. The

a shine, reflect the ambient lighting from overhead

out as I approach the kitchen,

wiping his hands on

me,” he responds, looking surprised to see me. The stainless-steel backdrop of the

tanned skin and dark hair