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

searching mine

reassurance.

cautiously. “You’re

a lopsided grin, holding the cup out to

cup. It’s sweet and light, just the way I like it. But I can sense Karl’s

to butter

chuckles, a low and surprisingly endearing sound. “Is it

letting a slightly serious tone take over

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

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

simply nods.

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

the amount of times I’ve heard Karl utter those

I’m surprised. “That’s it?” I find myself saying. “You’re not gonna try

anyway?”

your decision

chance to take a little time off. But if you don’t want to

standing here, coffee cup in hand, my eyes wide

had ulterior motives behind inviting me back to our old

if that was ever the case

…

p.m., the post-lunch lull when the restaurant can finally

moment before

out or crises to deal with, I decide to

quick walk around the floor. But as I do, I notice Karl talking with Daisy. And it

the kitchen, chatting amicably. My first instinct is to

suspect that the conversation will go south, but something holds

out of their line of sight but close

like?” Karl asks. His voice is

when talking to a pretty young

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

for the rest of my life

heart.

Daisy exclaims. “It’s the best dish on the menu, in

dishes like that.”

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

about it makes my heart wander