Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 84: Without a Date
Abby

I’m seated on a lounge chair in the back lawn, soaking in the sun and the chirping of birds as a

soothing backdrop. The air smells of freshly cut grass, and I’m surrounded by the vibrant colors of the

garden—reds, yellows, and blues.. It’s peaceful, almost idyllic, but my mind is elsewhere.

I keep thinking about Karl’s words yesterday, how he never made an official announcement about my

fidelity. All morning, I’ve been getting strange looks from members of the staff—aside from Elsie, who

has never been anything but pleasant.

Part of me wants to announce it myself to set the record straight, but something tells me that most of

the staff who are unabashedly loyal to Karl wouldn’t believe me. And besides, he should do it himself.

He should be the one who admits to his shortcomings, not me.

Suddenly, my phone rings, breaking me out of my reverie. I glance down and let out a soft sigh. Ethan’s

name is flashing on the screen.

“Hey Ethan, what’s up?” I answer, my voice casual, but inside I’m wondering if something went wrong

after all. Perhaps the restaurant went up in flames, or that food critic came back for another bad

experience, or the place got robbed. Maybe all three.

“Abby, sorry to bother you on your time off. Quick question—how would you like us to handle the

supplier transition for next week? The new seafood vendor is offering different terms.”

I open my mouth to dive into a detailed explanation, logistics dancing at the forefront of my mind, when

I remember Karl’s words about taking time off. A moment of conflict grips me, but I decide to heed his

advice.

“Um, go ahead and negotiate the best terms possible but keep it in line with our usual arrangements.

And if you could, save any future questions for when I’m back. I’m supposed to be taking a break.”

“Ah, right. I apologize for interrupting your vacation. Where’d you wind up going anyway, if you don’t

mind me asking?”

“I’m… visiting family,” I lie smoothly, guilt settling somewhere in my stomach. I can’t tell Ethan—or

anyone, for that matter—that I’m visiting my old home with my ex-husband.

Just then, the phone rustles, and a new voice bursts through. “Abby! It’s Chloe. Are you with Karl?”

My cheeks flush involuntarily at her abrupt, and astute, question. “Chloe, what—”

Karl

let out a nervous laugh. “It’s just a coincidence,

gaining brow nie points lately in

be st upid. No h o oking

you,

you say.

as I hang up the phone, Chloe’s words ringing all too clearly

pid. Really, really stu pid. Which is why it hasn’t even crossed

crossed my mind. But that was just last night, after

about what it would be like to invite Karl back to my bed, to reignite our

won’t act on those

I can dwell on it further, I notice Gerald standing in

with a glass of iced tea. His face is impassive

iced tea,” he says, but his voice is laced with a tone

cold. The butler never was the warmest with

I respond kindly, taking the

as it keeps the mind clear,” he says. “One wouldn’t want to

a

effect more than anything else. “Well,” he

keep one’s priorities straight; especially with matters of fidelity,” he

unyielding.

notch. Gerald has been with the family for years, but never has he

Not to me, at least. My mouth opens to question him,

the house before I get the

me, I realize that

on the way that these people see me;

Karl’s side for years.

can’t be angry with Gerald. He’s worked

in here.

is founded

makes his official announcement, the better. If I’m going to

visit, then I need to confront

high time that I set the record straight. The

glances, the underlying tension—they have to stop. And they

one to stop them.

look back at the glass of iced tea, its contents

not my need for rectification. As I set the glass

mind.

gets home, we’re going to have to talk. And this time, there’ll

or I’m leaving. And I won’t

…

walks through the door, I can almost feel the air shift.

in my head what I’ll

opening my mouth to talk to him,

but I’m hosting an Alpha dinner tonight at our

on the h ook

sudden jolt of excitement that momentarily

so long since I had the chance to prepare a feast for the Alphas. My fingers

saute,

that sounds fantastic.