Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 74: Always a Catch
Abby

The clock on the wall reads 11:30 PM, its ticking slicing through the quietness of my office like a knife.

I’m engrossed in the sea of paperwork in front of me when there’s a knock on the door—soft but

persistent. My eyes dart up, half-expecting to see Chloe or maybe Leah, but it’s Karl leaning against

the doorframe.

“Hey,” he says, his eyes not quite meeting mine as he studies the pile of papers on my desk. “Am I

interrupting?”

His sudden appearance sets off a chorus of conflicting emotions inside me. Part of me wants to put up

the barriers again, but another part is surprised and, dare I admit, pleased to see him. It’s late, and I

thought that I was the only one left in the restaurant. As it turns out, I was wrong.

“No, not really,” I reply, setting aside my pen. “Just wrapping up some payroll stuff. What are you still

doing here? It’s late.”

“I wanted to stay late to prep the kitchen for tomorrow.” He pauses, his eyes now finding mine. “Saw

the light on under your door on my way out. Figured I’d check on you.”

The sincerity in his voice is disarming, but there’s a moment of hesitance between us, thick and almost

tangible. Finally, I break the silence. “Oh. Well, I’m fine,” I say, managing a stiff smile. “Thanks.”

Karl stands there for a few moments longer. It’s clear that he’s not planning on leaving, and I sigh,

setting my pen down again. Last night, he helped me with the souffle recipe again. But tonight, I have

other work to do. I can’t focus 100% of my time on preparing for the cook-off.

“What is it?” I ask, glancing up at him.

He shrugs. There’s an almost mischievous look in his eyes, like there’s something that he wants to say

but isn’t saying it. “Bar’s still open,” he says, glancing at his watch. “I was thinking of grabbing a drink.

Wanna join me?”

All this time, I’ve tried to contain our interactions

and the restaurant only. It’s easier that way. But then,

long that the numbers are starting to dance

Finally, with a resolved sigh,

drink. But just one, you

smiles, a subtle lifting of the corners of his mouth that used to drive me

can live with

up the restaurant, we head to the bar down the street.

casual ambiance of the late-night setting feels almost surreal. This bar

creaky wooden floors

stool, Karl takes the seat beside me. The bartender comes up to us

frequented this bar on Friday nights over the

restaurant.

nodding politely to Karl in turn. “What can I

mouth to respond, but before I can, Karl speaks up. “Two whiskeys.

shuffles off, I raise my eyebrow at Karl. “Always the Alpha,

let me order

wouldn’t have ordered the same

he does know me. Too well, in fact. The bartender pours us a couple of

me, the lines between past and present blur a bit.

to Karl, a primal instinct of our bond, but I fight against it. I

some light chit-chat

Abby,” Karl starts, his fingers nervously circling the rim of

reconciliation

for the time

know it’s important to you and to the

jerk about it. I was…” He pauses, his brown eyes studying

front

charged and filled with

be skeptical, cautious. But something tells me

that means a lot to me, Karl,” I

night.”

lips. “I know. But

“Enough? I—”

finish,” he says gently, his brown eyes filled with sincerity. “I’m so

you throughout all of this. So whatever you need, I’m here. We’re

you win this competition.”

his offer. The man I