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

to train a new cook right now. I’m keeping my distance

upid, but what

electrified by the tension. Chloe’s eyes narrow, and her lips press into

thin line.

a choice, Abby. You always do. And if you’re telling me that your

not work here any longer. Especially not with

again that he can’t change.” Her voice trembles, making her

palpable.

to bridge the gap between us, but Chloe steps back. “Please, don’t go,”

“It’ll be okay. Trust

isn’t hearing it. “Call me when you come to your senses,” she says, her voice thick

unshed tears.

heels and storms out, leaving me standing in a room

much too large

…

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

the midst of chaos. But today, it just serves

her, without a

talk?”

make my way over, signaling to Ethan to take over the helm

Leah dives right

called me

she did. “She was

you blame her? After everything

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

all hands on deck for

a good worker.”

her water, looking thoughtful. “Abby, you might have to

you, or the man who’s ruined everything for you

over again.”

can change, Leah,” I say, my voice tinged with a

mistakes, right?”

onto mine. “You thought he

many more chances are you going to give him? And at what

as if it’s being gripped by an invisible hand. I know where this is going.

my head as tears threaten to spill

watch and starts to get up. I can see that her eyes have misted

got to go. But Abby, you need to decide. It’s

have it

leaving me alone in a restaurant

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

never felt more

…

lock the front

my office, a small room crammed with cookbooks, invoices, and

has seen better days. My phone’s screen glows