Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 98: One or the Other
Abby

The restaurant is buzzing with activity as we prepare for the lunch rush.

Karl’s returned to work today, and surprisingly, it doesn’t feel as awkward as I thought it would. In fact,

there’s a sense of normalcy that I didn’t expect to find. John, especially, is elated to see Karl back.

“Karl!” he exclaims, throwing his hands up in the air. “Thanks go ds! Get behind this line right now and

give me a hand, will you?”

Karl smirks and tugs his apron on, nodding. “Sure thing,” he says, crossing the kitchen to the line.

“Missed me, huh?”

“Don’t make me admit it.”

For a fleeting moment, I think to myself, maybe this won’t be so bad after all. But before the thought

even has a chance to settle in, the person I was truly dreading the most arrives.

Chloe.

Almost as though she sensed that something is off, Chloe bursts in through the front door. Her eyes

roam around the restaurant, taking in the staff, the prep work, and then they finally land on Karl. Her

expression shifts so quickly, it’s like watching a storm cloud eclipse the sun.

“Abby, can I talk to you? Now?” The temperature in her voice plunges several degrees. I motion her

toward my office. The door barely clicks shut behind us before she explodes.

“What the hell is he doing here?”

Taking a deep breath, I choose my words carefully. “Look, I know it sounds incredibly dumb of me, but

he came clean about a lot of things, Chloe. And he seemed genuinely remorseful.”

“So you just let him back after you just told me that you were done?”

I sigh, passing a hand over my face. “I know. I know it’s st upid. But he wanted to help, and trust me, I’m

keeping my distance. I swear.”

She stares at me, her face a mask of incredulity. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Listen, we really need the extra help right now, Chloe,” I plead, my voice tinged with desperation. “I

can’t spend my entire day working the line with John while there are managerial duties I need to attend

I don’t have the resources to train a new cook right now. I’m keeping my

it’s st upid, but what choice do

between us thickens, electrified by the tension. Chloe’s eyes narrow,

thin line.

Abby. You always do. And if you’re telling

here any longer. Especially

can’t change.” Her voice trembles, making

palpable.

the gap between us, but Chloe steps back.

be okay. Trust

when you come to your senses,” she

unshed tears.

she turns on her heels and storms out, leaving

feels much too large and

…

by the time Leah walks in. The sight of her usually brings a

today, it just serves as a reminder of

sure that Chloe sent her, without a doubt. She catches my eye and motions to a

we talk?”

way over, signaling to Ethan to take over the

Leah dives right

called me and told

she did. “She was

blame her? After everything Karl has

I don’t blame her, Leah. But still, I thought

situation I’m in. I need all hands on

a good worker.”

thoughtful. “Abby,

you, or the man who’s ruined everything

over again.”

Leah,” I say, my voice tinged with

mistakes, right?”

onto mine. “You thought he would change before. Look

more chances are you going to

tightens, as if it’s being gripped by an invisible

my head as tears threaten to spill out. “Don’t leave

to get up. I can see that her eyes have misted over as well,

to hold herself together. “I’ve got to go. But Abby, you need to decide. It’s either us or

can’t have it both

alone in a restaurant full of

surrounded by a team that relies on my guidance, patrons who love my food, and yet in

I’ve never felt more

…

lock the front door behind

the sanctuary that is my office, a small

better days. My phone’s screen glows accusingly