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

searching mine for something—confirmation, maybe,

reassurance.

reply cautiously. “You’re here

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

just the way I like it. But I can sense

trying to butter me

low and surprisingly

a slightly serious tone take over

I can’t come with you. It’s not a good idea… for

his eyes is subtle

simply nods.

change my mind. Just those two words: “I understand.”

heard Karl utter those words

saying. “You’re

anyway?”

decision whether you go or not. I

a little time off. But if you don’t want to go, I won’t

left standing here, coffee cup in hand, my eyes wide with

last night was to assume that he had ulterior motives behind inviting me

I’m starting to wonder if that

…

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

a brief moment before the chaos

crises to deal with, I decide to leave

But as I do, I notice Karl talking

amicably. My first instinct

as I suspect that the conversation will go

stand here, just out of their line of sight but close enough to

what kind of food do you like?” Karl asks. His voice is genuine, not the flirty

to

know it’s a little basic, but I honestly just love Italian food,” Daisy says. “I feel like I

day for the rest of

heart.

on the menu, in my opinion! I kind of wish we

dishes like that.”

Karl says in response. I can hear the note of pride in his voice,

makes my heart