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

line of sight, a coffee cup in

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

reassurance.

reply cautiously. “You’re

lopsided grin, holding the cup out to me. “Wanted to

and light, just the way I like it.

to butter me up again, aren’t

low and surprisingly

tone take over my voice. “And actually,

you. It’s not a

disappointment that flickers across his eyes is subtle but unmistakable. But much to my

simply nods.

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

I’ve heard Karl utter those words on

saying. “You’re not gonna try

anyway?”

back. “It’s your decision whether you

take a little time off. But if

to leave, and I’m left standing here, coffee

was to assume that he had ulterior motives behind inviting me back to

wonder if that was ever

…

again—2:37 p.m., the post-lunch lull when the restaurant can finally

for a brief moment before the chaos

to deal with, I decide to leave the sanctuary of my office

I do, I notice Karl talking

instinct is to

that the conversation will go south, but something holds

stand here, just out of their line of

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

when talking to

but I honestly just love Italian food,” Daisy says. “I feel like I could

day for the rest of my

a woman after my own heart. Have you tried the fettuccine

menu, in my opinion! I kind of

dishes like that.”

Abby’s specialties,” Karl says in response. I

my heart