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

and he certainly never brought it up to me. “You never mentioned

we were together.”

used to make them all the time when I was little. It was my favorite

make the best souffles ever,” he confesses, almost

one up?”

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

egg yolks from

in amazement; the man has finesse,

time at the

dings, and Karl retrieves the dish, setting it

top a promise of

into it and extends it toward me.

spoonful, the flavors bursting in my mouth—cheesy, eggy,

cheese gives the souffle a savory

so that the two opposite flavors meld together into a

moment, all the tension, the

the culinary creation

is amazing,” I finally manage, breaking the spell

nothing. I

my apartment later that night, a stray thought enters my

chef I need for the competition? He’s been

And, even though we have our moments, we also

a fact that we could function

the idea. No, he doesn’t have enough

as

Right?

…

Chloe greets me with a steaming cup of coffee as I walk

boss lady. How are

accepting the frothy coffee. “Had a

night.”

leaning on the bar as I take a

“How so?”

“I was struggling with a souffle recipe. But

offered to help. It’s crazy. He’s actually

thought?”

face tightens. “Karl

“Yes, why?”

I thought I was doing you a favor. But apparently he

doesn’t listen.”

and a little annoyed. “You told him

about how you decided to go through with the competition.

should just pis s off,

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

I only just told her