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

it’s st upid, but what

tension. Chloe’s

thin line.

do. And if you’re telling me

is to not work here any longer. Especially not with a man

can’t change.” Her voice trembles, making her anger and betrayal

palpable.

to bridge the gap between us, but Chloe steps

be okay. Trust

you come to your senses,” she says,

unshed tears.

word, she turns on her heels and storms out, leaving me

much too large and excruciatingly

…

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

in the midst of chaos. But today, it just serves as a reminder of

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

we talk?”

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

Leah dives right

Chloe called me and told me

Of course she did.

blame her? After everything

“No, of course I don’t blame

need all hands on deck for the cook-off,

a good worker.”

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

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

over again.”

say, my voice tinged with a desperate hope.

mistakes, right?”

puts down her fork, her eyes locking onto mine.

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

if it’s being gripped by an invisible hand. I

to spill out. “Don’t

watch and starts to get up. I can see that

hold herself together. “I’ve got to go. But Abby, you need to decide.

have it both

alone in a restaurant

on my guidance, patrons who

I’ve never felt more

…

lock the front door behind them,

to the sanctuary that is my office,

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