Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 69: Serving Judgments
Karl

“Watch it, you’re massacring those veggies,” John calls out, glancing over from the stove where he’s

sauteeing some garlic and mushrooms.

I chuckle, adjusting my grip on the knife. I’m supposed to be julienning some peppers, but instead I’ve

lost my train of thought and accidentally begun dicing them instead. “Yeah, well, they had it coming.”

John grins, shaking his head. “Y’know, you’re not as unfunny and st upid as I thought you were.”

“Could say the same about you,” I reply, gathering the sliced vegetables into a bowl.

Who would’ve thought? John and I, mortal enemies turned reluctant allies. A couple of weeks ago, we

could barely stand to be in the same room, but time and circumstances—and angry bosses—have a

way of forcing you to reassess your priorities.

“It’s all about collaboration,” John continues, his tone more philosophical than I thought the brute would

be capable of. “You can’t make a great dish with just one ingredient. Same with a kitchen. Everyone’s

got to pull their weight, contribute their flavor for the bigger picture.”

“You should put that on a plaque or something.”

“And have everyone roll their eyes? Nah, I’ll stick to cooking,” he laughs, adding a splash of white wine

to the pan, filling the air with a rich, aromatic scent.

The door to Abby’s office opens, and for a moment, my world narrows. She steps out, her eyes

scanning the room as if looking for something—or someone. When her gaze falls on me, my heart

leaps in anticipation.

But she averts her eyes, quickening her pace as she walks out of the kitchen.

The atmosphere turns brittle around me. John notices, his eyes narrowing. “Hey, snap out of it! You’re

burning the scallops.”

“Sorry,” I mutter.

I refocus on the task at hand, on the sound of the scallops sizzling in the pan, but the weight of last

like a dark cloud. We’d argued, voices raised, over her decision to compete

agreement. I’d felt betrayed;

messed up big time,” he says,

swirl of regret and

as the kitchen grows quieter, the realization sinks in deeper. Abby

restaurant. She’s not just another chef. She’s someone I care deeply about,

and desires should mean as

the way. I shake my head, frustrated

that’s been

here?” John asks, snapping

See you tomorrow,” I

somewhat concerned glance my way before exiting

My eyes catch Abby’s office door, still closed,

one.

decide that right now, I think I’d

…

stays open for a couple of hours longer. I sit at the

lot like failure. My eyes catch my

I have reacted the way I did

she didn’t have to make things so complicated. This isn’t what I

Karl,” my wolf murmurs, his voice

proud. Not territorial.”

its glass. “She knew how

—”

means to her,” my wolf

need to show support. Show that you care. And not

do care for her,” I shoot back defensively, but

and

on cue, Chloe, one of the bartenders, walks over to refill my glass, her eyes cold,

if she’s trying to pour that disdain she feels for me into the

look?” I ask, setting down the

now instead

I think I can manage both,” she snaps, her eyes

up, surprise mingling with a touch of indignation.

aren’t I?”

mean like how you

voice

So she knows.

down last night, how you

her through, you’ve got the

slapped. Chloe has always been direct, no-nonsense, but

For a moment, I