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?”

this time,

that way. But then, at the

at this spreadsheet for so long that the numbers are starting

a resolved sigh, I

can grab a drink. But

subtle lifting of the corners of his mouth that used to drive me crazy in love. “One

“I can live with

bar down the street. The transition

to the casual ambiance of the late-night setting feels almost

wooden floors

seat beside me. The bartender comes up to us and leans on

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

restaurant.

Karl in

respond, but before I can, Karl speaks

shuffles off, I raise my eyebrow

let me

grins. “Like you wouldn’t have ordered the

know me. Too well, in fact. The bartender

between past and

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

whiskey and some light chit-chat won’t

his fingers nervously circling the rim of

caught off guard. I thought that Karl’s reconciliation

least for the time being. “Apologize?” I mutter.

the competition. I know it’s

it. I was…” He pauses, his brown eyes studying the glass

front

and filled with an honesty that

to be skeptical, cautious. But something tells me this is

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

night.”

Karl’s lips. “I know. But I don’t feel as

“Enough? I—”

me finish,” he says gently, his brown eyes filled with sincerity.

of this. So whatever you need, I’m

you win this competition.”

offer. The