Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 78: A Little Vacation
Abby

My eyes snap open to discover that someone, in the span of what feels like five minutes, my office has

grown dark. There’s a hand on my shoulder, and an all-too-familiar face—with a smirk on it, of course—

staring down at me.

“Sleepy?” Karl asks, his lips twitching into a grin.

I shake my head and sit up, trying to regain a sense of reality. The glare of the desk lamp sca tters

across stacks of invoices and order forms, casting a dim amber glow over everything.

“No,” I lie, looking away as Karl crosses the room back to the doorway. “I was just putting my head

down for a few minutes.”

A quick glance at the clock reveals that it’s almost eight o’clock, and considering the fact that it’s a

Wednesday, the restaurant is already mostly quiet. Through my half-open office door, I can just barely

make out the faint sound of sc at tered voices and silverware on plates from the few customers who are

still hanging around, post-dinner rush.

Karl laughs and leans against the doorframe. “Sure. And what looks like drool on your cheek must just

be condensation or something, right?”

Drool? I swipe my cheek with the back of my hand and sure enough, it comes away wet. Great.

“Okay, you go me,” I mutter, smoothing down my messy hair. “This morning was hectic, and I didn’t

sleep too well last night…”

Karl shrugs. “Don’t sweat it,” he assures me. “In fact, you’ll be happy to know that after the health

inspector left, everything else went smoothly. No more food critics, no sick servers, no arguing

employees.”

I force a half-smile. So word really does travel fast; or rather, Karl is more attuned to the drama than I

thought. I never mentioned the sick servers and arguing employees to anyone, but someone must have

noticed.

sigh, rubbing my eyes.

off the doorframe and saunters in again, perching on the edge of my

about tomorrow’s delivery

you could use

my head, pushing myself up to my feet in an attempt to make myself look more

“I’m perfectly fine,” I lie, hoping that

that I’m wavering slightly where

me without answering. There’s something gentle in

very long time. And something about

in a feeble attempt to hide the blush

window, peering out into the dimly lit city street. It’s pouring

late and the kitchen will close soon anyway,” Karl says after

“You

shrug. “I’ll be fine. I’ll at least

I nod, and Karl sighs.

you home, okay?”

stare out the window for another few moments at the rain,

my coat h ook reveals that my umbrella is nowhere to

nap on my desk didn’t really

finally say, turning back to face Karl. He’s got an almost triumphant look

it quickly. “Let’s

…

from the dim, cramped space of my

leather and a hint of pine air freshener. The city

the windshield as we drive. I’ve

look on a stormy night; it’s like something

signs of late-night

blur. For a moment, the weight of my job—the critics, the health

lost in the rhythmic hum

like you were having one hell of a dream back there. Was

tropical drink, and a server shortage all at

health inspection nightmare. I can’t seem to

sleep.”

“Well, dreams are just unpaid labor then, aren’t they?

could get compensation somehow.”

reply, my words tinged with

of my apartment complex—a red brick building

front door. It’s surrounded by other buildings that look

I almost walked into someone

embarrassing.

engine,

My offer still

away. Of course I remember the pool and the hot tub, and all of the luxuries of our old home.