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

eyes searching mine for something—confirmation, maybe,

reassurance.

I reply cautiously. “You’re

holding the cup out to me. “Wanted to

sweet and light, just the way I like it. But I can

butter me up again, aren’t

surprisingly endearing sound.

over my

you. It’s not a good idea…

is subtle but unmistakable. But much to my

simply nods.

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

amount of times I’ve heard Karl utter those words on one

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

anyway?”

step back. “It’s your decision whether you go or

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

to leave, and I’m left standing here, coffee cup in hand,

that he had ulterior motives behind inviting me back to

now, I’m starting to wonder if that was ever the case

…

p.m., the post-lunch lull

before

to deal with,

as I do, I notice Karl talking with Daisy. And it

first instinct is to approach them, maybe crack a joke

the conversation will go south, but something

of their line of sight but close enough

asks. His voice is

when talking to a pretty young

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

the rest of my

heart. Have you tried the

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

dishes like that.”

in response. I can hear the note of

about it makes my heart wander a bit in