Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 76: All Buttered Up
Abby

My apartment door shuts behind me with a satisfying click after a long day of being away from home.

With a sigh, I throw my bag on the couch, and flop down beside it.

But it’s not long before I’m on my feet again, pacing my apartment floor as I chew on my lower lip.

Karl’s proposition still lingers in my mind: going with him to the pack? To our old home?

My first instinct screams at me to not go, of course. To return to our old home together? How is that not

a recipe for disaster?

As I finally decide to pour myself a glass of wine to calm my frayed nerves, I think to myself that right

now, I really do have it all. A successful career, friends who love me, and the cook-off coming up. Why

throw a wrench into it by letting Karl back into my life in that way? We’re doing just fine as friends,

keeping everything at arm’s length between us. There’s no need for it to become more than that.

But then, there’s still a tiny sliver of myself that almost considers going with him. My life was once

entwined with his, after all. The long talks in our garden at sunset, the joy of cooking in a kitchen I had

designed myself.

But that was a lifetime ago.

I take a sip of wine, letting the bitter flavor linger on my tongue before swallowing. “Tomorrow,” I

resolve, “I’ll tell him I can’t go. It’s for the best.”

…

The scent of freshly brewed coffee greets me the moment I walk into the restaurant. It’s comforting and

slightly bittersweet, but also unexpected. I should be the only one here right now, and I didn’t see

Ethan’s car on the way in; but I’ve hardly made it halfway through the door when Karl suddenly steps

my line of sight, a coffee cup in

he greets, his eyes searching mine for something—confirmation,

reassurance.

reply cautiously. “You’re

grin, holding the cup out to me. “Wanted to get some prep work done.

light, just the

to butter me up

and surprisingly endearing sound. “Is it

serious tone take over my voice. “And actually, I’ve

can’t come with you.

across his eyes is subtle but unmistakable.

simply nods.

attempt to change my mind. Just those two words:

I’ve heard Karl utter

saying. “You’re not gonna try to convince me

anyway?”

your decision whether you

a chance to take a little time off.

coffee cup in hand, my eyes wide

he had ulterior motives behind

starting to wonder if that was ever the case

…

the clock again—2:37 p.m., the post-lunch lull

moment before

no immediate fires to put out or crises to deal with, I decide to leave the sanctuary of

do, I notice Karl talking

the kitchen, chatting amicably. My first instinct

the conversation will go south, but something

I stand here, just out of their line of sight but

do you like?” Karl asks. His voice is genuine,

to a pretty young

honestly just love Italian food,”

a day for the rest

after my own heart. Have you tried the fettuccine alfredo here

did!” Daisy exclaims. “It’s the best dish on the menu, in my opinion!

dishes like that.”

I

makes my heart