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

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

upid, but what choice do

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

thin line.

Abby. You always do. And if you’re telling me that your choice is to

any longer. Especially not with a

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

palpable.

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

“It’ll be okay. Trust

me when you come to your senses,” she says,

unshed tears.

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

too large and excruciatingly

…

full swing by the time Leah walks

midst of chaos. But today, it just serves as

a doubt. She catches my

we talk?” she

nod and make my way over, signaling to Ethan to take over the helm while I take a

Leah dives right

me

her eyes. Of course she did. “She was

her? After

don’t blame her, Leah. But still, I

situation I’m in. I need all

a good worker.”

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

best friends who have stood by you, or

over again.”

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

mistakes, right?”

down her fork, her eyes locking onto mine. “You thought he

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

an invisible hand. I

shaking my head as tears threaten to

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

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

have it both

just like that, she’s gone, leaving me alone in a restaurant full of people. The irony isn’t lost

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

I’ve never felt

…

lock the front door behind them, flipping

sanctuary that is my office,

My phone’s screen glows accusingly