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?”

by surprise. All this time, I’ve

But then, at the

spreadsheet for so long that the numbers are starting to dance on the screen in

Finally, with a resolved sigh, I

can grab a drink. But just one, you

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

says. “I can live

to the bar down the street. The transition from

of the late-night setting

wooden floors and comfortable

beside me. The

frequented this bar on Friday nights over the

restaurant.

Karl in turn. “What can

my mouth to respond, but before I can, Karl speaks

raise my eyebrow at Karl.

let me order my own

“Like you wouldn’t have ordered the same thing anyway. I know

The bartender pours us a couple of whiskeys,

me, the lines between past and present

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

some light chit-chat won’t

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

guard. I thought that Karl’s reconciliation with Chloe

part, at least for the time being. “Apologize?” I

know it’s important to you and to the restaurant.

jerk about it. I was…” He pauses,

front of

words hang in the air between us, charged and filled with an

skeptical, cautious. But

know that means a lot to me, Karl,” I murmur. “Thank

night.”

“I know. But I don’t feel as though

“Enough? I—”

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

to support you throughout all of this. So whatever you need,

you win this competition.”

heart swell a little at his offer. The man I used to love—the man