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, I’ve tried to contain our interactions

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

that the numbers are starting to dance on the screen in front

resolved

a drink. But just one,

the corners of his mouth that used to

can live with

to the bar down the street. The

office to the casual ambiance of the late-night setting feels almost surreal. This bar is known

atmosphere, creaky wooden

beside me. The bartender comes up to us and

frequented this bar on Friday nights over the years since I bought

restaurant.

the bartender says, nodding politely to Karl in

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

my eyebrow

let me order my own

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

fact. The

past and present blur

bond, but I fight

whiskey and some light chit-chat won’t

his fingers nervously circling the rim of his glass. “I need to

guard. I thought that Karl’s reconciliation with Chloe yesterday

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

the competition. I know it’s important to you and

was…” He pauses, his brown

in front of him.

between us, charged and filled with an honesty that

to be skeptical, cautious. But something

know that means a lot to me, Karl,” I murmur. “Thank you. But you already apologized the

night.”

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

“Enough? I—”

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

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

you win this competition.”

his offer. The man I used to