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

that way. But then, at the same

this spreadsheet for so long that the numbers are

Finally, with a resolved sigh, I shut

grab a drink. But just one, you

corners of his mouth that used

can live

the bar down the street. The transition from the solitude

ambiance of the late-night setting feels almost surreal.

atmosphere, creaky wooden

beside me. The bartender comes

frequented this bar on

restaurant.

politely to Karl in turn. “What can I get you

but before I can, Karl speaks up. “Two

I raise my eyebrow

“Couldn’t let me order my own

have ordered the same thing anyway. I

right; he does know me. Too well, in fact. The bartender pours us a

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

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

and some light chit-chat

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

I thought that Karl’s reconciliation with Chloe yesterday was

for the time

the competition. I know it’s

I was…” He

in front of him.

air between us, charged and filled with an honesty that

be skeptical, cautious. But something

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

night.”

escapes Karl’s lips. “I know. But

“Enough? I—”

he says gently, his brown eyes filled

this. So whatever you need, I’m here. We’re gonna make

you win this competition.”

can feel my heart swell a little at his offer. The man I