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

the resources to train a new cook right now.

I know it’s st upid, but what choice do I

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

thin line.

And if

work here any longer. Especially not with a man

he can’t change.” Her voice

palpable.

out, hoping to bridge the gap between us, but Chloe steps back. “Please,

“It’ll be okay.

Chloe isn’t hearing it. “Call me when you come

unshed tears.

another word, she turns on her heels and storms out, leaving me standing in a

feels much too

…

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

But today, it just serves as a

a doubt. She catches

talk?” she

my way over, signaling to Ethan to take over the

and Leah dives

Chloe called me and

to meet her eyes. Of course she did. “She

blame her? After everything Karl has

don’t blame her, Leah. But still, I

I’m in. I need all

a good worker.”

of her water, looking thoughtful. “Abby, you

by you, or the man who’s

over again.”

he can change, Leah,” I say, my voice tinged

mistakes, right?”

eyes locking onto

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

it’s being gripped by an invisible hand. I know where this is going. “No,”

as tears threaten to spill

up. I can see

herself together. “I’ve got to go. But Abby,

have it both

a restaurant

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

I’ve never felt

…

I lock the front door behind them, flipping the sign

my office, a small room crammed with

that has seen better days. My phone’s screen glows accusingly at