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, voices raised, over her decision to

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

inside me stirs, restless. “You messed up big time,” he says, a growl

mind a swirl of regret

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

just another

should mean as much to me

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

been driven between

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

tomorrow,” I say, forcing

my way before exiting the kitchen. Alone

up. My eyes catch Abby’s office door, still closed, a barrier in more

one.

But then, I decide that

…

for a couple of

a glass of whiskey that tastes a lot like failure. My eyes catch my reflection

Should I have

make things so complicated. This

wolf murmurs, his voice

proud. Not territorial.”

almost snort, swirling the whiskey in its glass. “She knew how much that

—”

her,” my wolf retorts. “If you ever plan

Show that you

defensively, but my wolf has already withdrawn, leaving me alone

and my

Chloe, one of the bartenders, walks over to

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

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

instead of

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

eyebrows shoot up, surprise mingling with a touch of indignation. “I’m

aren’t I?”

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

voice

So she knows.

I know what went down last night, how

the nerve to get

always been direct, no-nonsense, but

I wasn’t prepared for right now. For a moment,