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

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

know it’s st upid, but what

us thickens, electrified by the tension. Chloe’s

thin line.

a choice, Abby. You always do. And if you’re

then my choice is to not work here any longer. Especially not with

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

palpable.

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

whispering. “It’ll be

hearing it. “Call me when you come to your

unshed tears.

another word, she turns on her heels and storms out,

too

…

restaurant is in full swing by the time Leah walks in. The

of chaos. But today, it

sure that Chloe sent her, without a doubt. She

talk?”

signaling to Ethan to take over the helm

and Leah

called me and told me

Of course she did. “She was furious, Leah. She quit on

After everything Karl

don’t blame

situation I’m in. I need all hands

a good worker.”

her water, looking thoughtful. “Abby, you might

or the man who’s ruined everything for

over again.”

say, my voice tinged

mistakes, right?”

her fork, her eyes locking onto

more chances are you going to give him? And at

it’s being gripped by an

to spill

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

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

have it

me alone in a restaurant full of

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

never

…

last customer leaves, and I lock the front door

my office, a small room crammed with

My phone’s screen glows accusingly at me from my desk.