Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 70: Soufflés and Heartaches
Abby

“Let me help you.”

Karl’s words hit me like a ton of bricks. Karl, of all people, wants to help me prepare for the competition

that we were only just arguing about? I can’t believe it.

“You’re joking,” I murmur.

Karl shakes his head, his eyes darting down to the failure of a souffle sitting between us. “Nope. Not

joking. Do you want my help or not?”

Part of me wants to accept his offer, but another part of me, perhaps the more logical part, decides that

maybe it’s not the best idea. I’m angry right now over my argument with Karl and this da mned souffle,

and I know that I wouldn’t exactly be the best kitchen partner tonight.

“I’m fine, Karl. Just a little tired,” I reply, forcing a smile. “Besides, you’ve been working all day. You can

head home.”

“I don’t want to go home,” he says quietly, sliding the souffle back toward me from across the cold

metallic counter. “I’m not tired, and home is boring. Let me help.”

I pause. I know that I should push him away and keep working on my own, not only so I can focus fully

on my preparations for the competition but also so we can both cool off after our arguments. But

something stops me. Maybe it’s the sincere look in his soft brown eyes.

“Sure,” I finally mutter, nodding. “I guess I could use some help.”

Karl doesn’t need to be told twice. I watch for a moment as he slips off his jacket, revealing his sinewy

biceps peeking out from beneath his short sleeves. I have to look away before I get too attached to his

image, and refocus my attention on my fourth attempt at making a souffle while he washes his hands.

Before I know it, the eggs and other ingredients are laid out before me, my whisk deftly beating the

eggs into a golden mixture.

“You know, I used to make souffles as a kid,” Karl says out of nowhere.

“You made souffles?” I can’t even begin to keep the surprise out of my voice. Karl rarely ever cooked

we were together, and he certainly never brought it up to me.

we were together.”

make them all the time when I was little. It

make the best souffles ever,” he confesses,

one up?”

curiosity gets the better of me. “Sure. I’d

work, skillfully separating the egg yolks from the whites,

everything in with care. I watch in amazement; the man has finesse,

at

it

a promise of the fluffy,

into it and extends it toward

the flavors bursting in my mouth—cheesy,

a savory ta ng, but Karl incorporated just the

of sugar so that the two opposite flavors meld together

all the tension, the arguments, they vanish. There’s just the two

culinary

I finally manage, breaking the spell and

was nothing. I was glad to

walk back to my apartment later that night,

Karl be the sous chef I need for the competition? He’s been getting better,

we have our moments,

a fact that we could function together

he doesn’t

as

Right?

…

morning, Chloe greets me with a steaming cup of coffee as I

boss lady. How

actually,” I say with a grin, gratefully accepting the frothy coffee. “Had

night.”

asks, leaning on the bar as I take a seat on one

“How so?”

shrug and take a sip. “I was struggling with a souffle recipe. But you’re

crazy. He’s actually a master at

thought?”

face tightens.

“Yes, why?”

thought I was doing you

doesn’t listen.”

surprised and a little annoyed. “You told

about how you decided to go through with the competition.

just pis s

head reel. While I understand the sentiment behind them, something about

angry; maybe it’s because I only just told her that I needed to be trusted to