Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 51: Impressed
Abby

“Alright, paperwork’s done,” Karl declares with an air of finality, piling the last of the filed sheets into a

neat stack.

The office is a maze of papers, scatt ered across the desk and floor, but we’ve managed to conquer the

monster of bureaucracy.

I chuckle, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Who knew running a restaurant came with so

much… paper?”

Karl snorts. “Did no one warn you?”

I roll my eyes dramatically. “Alright, Mr. Know-It-All. Next is ordering. Let’s head to the kitchen and see

what we need.”

He nods, and we make our way to the heart of the restaurant. The stainless steel countertops gleam

under the dim overhead lights, and I breathe in the familiar mix of spices and cooked food. There’s

something soothing about being here, even when the bustle is gone.

I grab a clipboard and start jotting down a list. “We definitely need more garlic, basil, tomatoes…”

Karl starts peeking into various containers and cupboards, joining in on the inventory. “Don’t forget the

mushrooms and parmesan.”

There’s a moment of comfortable silence as we both get absorbed in our task.

Then, from a distance, the soft strumming of a guitar fills the space. It seems one of the staff has left a

radio on.

“Is that… Ed Sheeran?” Karl asks, looking up with a smile.

I nod, swaying slightly to the rhythm. “Perfect. I haven’t heard this song in a while.”

My head instinctively bobs to the music as I get back to work. But then, I feel a presence beside me. I

look up to see Karl standing beside me, his brown eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Dance with me?” he asks.

Shaking my head, I turn away slightly. “You’re ridiculous. We’ve got work to do.”

“C’mon, Abby. We haven’t danced in so long.” Before I can stop him, he reaches out, grabbing my

and twirling me

a heat creeps up into my

Karl grabs me

along with him, partially victim to his

feelings.

tiles are becoming our dance floor as the soft lyrics echo

us.

of the song fill the kitchen, Karl’s hand

as his fingers dance against my back, guiding our movements. Our

cold tiles, creating a rhythm of their

warm, lock onto mine. Every turn, every twirl is executed

a rush of memories

distance that has come between us, the

familiar, comforting.

won’t admit it, but… I’ve missed

those nights we used to spontaneously decide

and the infectious energy they promised. Karl had always been such a

for someone of his stature

steps had a confidence, a surety to them that drew me in. The way he could command a

way he led our pack—with authority and

or the music; it was an unspoken language

of being twirled under his arm, the heat of our bodies moving

ourselves to the beat. The world outside ceased

the rhythm that pulsed

voice, low and slightly teasing, breaks my reverie,

the night away?

me around till I was dizzy, and we’d laugh like kids,

about anyone watching.”

my waist for a brief moment. “There

in his eyes, “at that club

ached and our clothes were soaked in

giggle. “God, yes. We must’ve looked a mess by

we left.”

becoming more intense. “Well, dancing wasn’t the only

sweat, was it?”

in mock horror, and I smack his chest, feigning indignation. “Karl! You absolute

my reprimand lacks any real heat, and the flush

and infectious, and I

up a glare.

dies down, replaced by the soft hum of the

closer now, our faces inches apart, our breaths mingling. The intensity of his gaze

and for a split second, everything

crashes back in, reminding me of the boundaries, of the lines we’ve drawn.

that I’ve drawn.

deep breath, I gently pull away, breaking the magnetic pull

feel, or maybe because I want to change the

the fridge. “Are you hungry?” I ask