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

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

st upid, but what choice do I

tension. Chloe’s

thin line.

do. And if you’re telling

here any longer. Especially not

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

palpable.

the gap between us, but

whispering. “It’ll be okay.

when you come to your senses,” she

unshed tears.

and storms out, leaving

much too large and

…

Leah walks in. The sight of her usually brings a wave

touch of sanity in the midst of chaos. But today,

sent her, without a doubt. She catches my

we talk?”

Ethan to take over

and Leah

Chloe called me

sigh, unable to meet her eyes. Of course she did. “She was furious, Leah.

blame her? After everything Karl has

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

the situation I’m in. I need all hands on deck for the cook-off, and Karl

a good worker.”

a sip of her water, looking thoughtful.

best friends who have stood by you, or the man who’s ruined everything for you over

over again.”

I say, my voice tinged with a desperate hope.

mistakes, right?”

puts down her fork, her eyes locking onto mine. “You thought he would change before. Look

you. How many more chances are you going

being gripped by an invisible

my head as tears threaten to spill out.

starts to get up. I can see

to go. But Abby, you need

can’t have

gone, leaving me alone in a restaurant full of people.

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

never

…

the front door behind them,

to the sanctuary that is my office, a

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