Chapter 107
Karl

“Watch it, you’re massacring those veggies,” John calls out, glancing over from the stove where he’s

sauteeing some garlic and mushrooms.

I chuckle, adjusting my grip on the knife. I’m supposed to be julienning some peppers, but instead I’ve

lost my train of thought and accidentally begun dicing them instead. “Yeah, well, they had it coming.”

John grins, shaking his head. “Y’know, you’re not as unfunny and stu pid as I thought you were.”

“Could say the same about you,” I reply, gathering the sliced vegetables into a bowl.

Who would’ve thought? John and I, mortal enemies turned reluctant allies. A couple of weeks ago, we

could barely stand to be in the same room, but time and circumstances—and angry bosses—have a

way of forcing you to reassess your priorities.

“It’s all about collaboration,” John continues, his tone more philosophical than I thought the brute would

be capable of. “You can’t make a great dish with just one ingredient. Same with a kitchen. Everyone’s

got to pull their weight, contribute their flavor for the bigger picture.”

should put that on

I’ll stick to cooking,” he laughs,

air with a

door to Abby’s office opens, and for a moment, my world narrows. She steps out, her

something—or someone.

leaps in anticipation.

her eyes, quickening her pace as

around me. John notices, his eyes narrowing. “Hey, snap out of it!

burning the scallops.”

“Sorry,” I mutter.

refocus on the task at hand, on the sound of the scallops sizzling in the pan, but the weight of

over me like a dark cloud. We’d argued, voices raised, over

contest despite our earlier agreement. I’d felt

me stirs, restless. “You messed up big time,” he says, a growl wrapped in

I reply, my mind a swirl of regret and confusion. “Trust me. I

as the kitchen grows quieter, the

another

mean as

yet, I let my insecurities, my fears, get in the

been

John asks,

I

glance my way before exiting

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255