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

felt betrayed; she’d felt

“You messed up big time,” he says, a

mind a swirl

quieter,

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

desires should mean as much to

my insecurities, my fears, get in the way. I shake my head, frustrated with

been driven

You good here?” John asks,

you tomorrow,” I say, forcing

way before exiting the kitchen.

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

one.

then, I decide that right

…

stays open for

lot like failure. My eyes catch my reflection in the glass,

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

to make things so complicated. This isn’t what

in life, Karl,” my wolf murmurs, his voice a

proud. Not territorial.”

swirling the whiskey in its glass. “She knew how

—”

how much this competition means to her,” my wolf retorts.

you need to show support. Show that

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

and

the bartenders, walks over to refill my glass, her

that disdain she feels for me into

the glass harder

now instead of

who’s asking, I think I can manage both,”

mingling with a touch

aren’t I?”

Oh, you mean like how you missed being supportive of Abby when she

voice drips

So she knows.

tells me everything, Karl. I know what went down last

put her through, you’ve got the

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

now. For a moment, I almost consider