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

he greets, his eyes searching mine for

reassurance.

cautiously. “You’re

cup out to me. “Wanted to get some prep work

and light, just the way I like it.

to butter me up again, aren’t

a low and surprisingly endearing

say, letting a slightly serious tone take over my voice. “And actually,

you. It’s not a good idea… for multiple

is subtle but

simply nods. “I

my mind. Just those

I’ve heard Karl utter those words

find myself saying. “You’re not

anyway?”

Abby,” he says, taking a 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 push

I’m left standing here, coffee cup in hand, my

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

if that was ever the case

…

the post-lunch lull when the restaurant can finally

for a brief moment before the chaos of dinner

fires to put out or crises to deal with, I decide to leave the sanctuary

quick walk around the floor. But as I do, I notice

by the kitchen, chatting amicably. My first instinct is to approach

lighten the mood as I suspect that the conversation will go south, but something holds

I stand here, just out of their line of sight

Karl asks. His voice is genuine,

when talking to a

just

pasta a day for the rest of my life

my own heart. Have

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

dishes like that.”

one of Abby’s specialties,” Karl says in response. I can hear the note of pride in his

makes my heart wander a bit in my