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?”

takes me by surprise. All this time, I’ve tried to

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

the numbers are starting

Finally, with a resolved sigh, I shut my

drink. But just one, you hear

mouth that used to drive

can

the bar down the street. The transition

ambiance of the late-night setting feels almost

creaky wooden floors and comfortable

onto a stool, Karl takes the seat beside me. The bartender comes up

recognize him well; I’ve frequented this bar on Friday

restaurant.

to Karl in

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

raise my eyebrow at Karl. “Always the Alpha,

let me order my

have ordered the same thing anyway.

does know me. Too well, in fact. The

past and present blur a bit. I find myself

closer to Karl, a primal instinct of our bond, but I fight

some

Karl starts, his fingers nervously circling the rim of his glass. “I

reconciliation with Chloe yesterday was

the time being.

competition. I know it’s important to you and

about it. I was…”

in front of

charged and filled with an honesty

to be skeptical, cautious. But something tells me this

to me, Karl,” I murmur. “Thank you. But you already apologized the

night.”

know. But I don’t feel as though it

“Enough? I—”

his brown eyes filled with sincerity. “I’m so proud of

support you throughout all of this. So

you win this competition.”

a little at his offer. The man I