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

st upid,

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

thin line.

Abby. You always do. And if you’re

here any longer. Especially not with

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

palpable.

us, but Chloe steps back.

whispering. “It’ll be

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

unshed tears.

she turns on her heels and

too large

…

time Leah walks in. The sight of her usually

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

that Chloe sent her, without a doubt. She catches my eye

we talk?”

Ethan to take over

Leah dives

called me and told

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

you blame her? After everything Karl

frustrated. “No, of course I don’t blame her, Leah.

all hands on deck for the cook-off,

a good worker.”

looking thoughtful. “Abby,

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

over again.”

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

mistakes, right?”

eyes locking onto mine. “You thought he would change

chances are you going to give him?

by an invisible hand. I know where this is going.

as tears threaten to spill out. “Don’t

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

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

have it

in a restaurant full of people. The irony isn’t

relies on my guidance, patrons who love my

I’ve never felt

…

the front door behind them, flipping

office,

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