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

We’d argued,

despite our earlier agreement. I’d felt betrayed; she’d felt

stirs, restless. “You messed up big time,” he

swirl

as the kitchen grows quieter, the realization sinks in deeper. Abby isn’t

just another chef. She’s someone I care deeply about,

should mean as much

in the way. I shake my head,

been driven between

heading out. You good here?” John asks, snapping me back

I say, forcing a

a somewhat concerned glance my way before exiting the

My eyes catch Abby’s office door,

one.

I almost knock. But then, I decide that right now, I think I’d rather have a

…

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

like failure. My eyes catch my reflection in the

unanswered, piercing. Should I have reacted the way I did to

have to make things so complicated. This isn’t

voice a gravelly

proud. Not territorial.”

in its glass. “She knew how much that

—”

know how much this competition means to her,”

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

back defensively, but my wolf has already withdrawn,

and my

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

to pour that disdain she feels for me

the look?” I ask, setting down the glass harder than I mean

instead of

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

a touch of indignation. “I’m

aren’t I?”

like how you missed being supportive of Abby

Her voice drips with

So she knows.

Karl. I know what went down last night, how you made her feel. After

her through, you’ve got the

I’ve been slapped. Chloe has always

For a moment, I almost consider being vindictive