Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Chapter 114
Abby

The clock on the wall reads 11:30 PM, its ticking slicing through the quietness of my office like a knife.

I’m engrossed in the sea of paperwork in front of me when there’s a knock on the door—soft but

persistent. My eyes dart up, half-expecting to see Chloe or maybe Leah, but it’s Karl leaning against

the doorframe.

“Hey,” he says, his eyes not quite meeting mine as he studies the pile of papers on my desk. “Am I

interrupting?”

His sudden appearance sets off a chorus of conflicting emotions inside me. Part of me wants to put up

the barriers again, but another part is surprised and, dare I admit, pleased to see him. It’s late, and I

thought that I was the only one left in the restaurant. As it turns out, I was wrong.

“No, not really,” I reply, setting aside my pen. “Just wrapping up some payroll stuff. What are you still

doing here? It’s late.”

“I wanted to stay late to prep the kitchen for tomorrow.” He pauses, his eyes now finding mine. “Saw

the light on under your door on my way out. Figured I’d check on you.”

The sincerity in his voice is disarming, but there’s a moment of hesitance between us, thick and almost

tangible. Finally, I break the silence. “Oh. Well, I’m fine,” I say, managing a stiff smile. “Thanks.”

Karl stands there for a few moments longer. It’s clear that he’s not planning on leaving, and I sigh,

setting my pen down again. Last night, he helped me with the souffle recipe again. But tonight, I have

other work to do. I can’t focus 100% of my time on preparing for the cook-off.

“What is it?” I ask, glancing up at him.

He shrugs. There’s an almost mischievous look in his eyes, like there’s something that he wants to say

but isn’t saying it. “Bar’s still open,” he says, glancing at his watch. “I was thinking of grabbing a drink.

Wanna join me?”

takes me by surprise. All this time, I’ve tried to

But

at this spreadsheet for so long that the numbers are starting

a resolved sigh,

We can grab a drink.

a subtle lifting of the corners of his mouth that used to drive me

says. “I can live with

locking up the restaurant, we head to the bar down the street. The transition from the

late-night setting feels almost

atmosphere, creaky wooden floors and comfortable

I slide onto a stool, Karl takes the seat beside me. The bartender comes up to us and

this bar on Friday

restaurant.

Abby,” the bartender says, nodding politely to Karl

before I can, Karl speaks up.

eyebrow at Karl. “Always

me order my own

the same thing anyway. I know

fact. The bartender

through me, the lines between past and present blur a bit. I

of our bond, but I fight against it. I made

some

nervously circling the rim of his glass.

thought that Karl’s reconciliation with Chloe yesterday was enough of an

his part, at least for the time being. “Apologize?” I mutter.

competition. I know it’s

I was…”

front of him.

the air between us, charged and filled with an honesty that disorients

be skeptical, cautious. But something

I murmur.

night.”

lips. “I know. But I don’t feel

“Enough? I—”

eyes filled with sincerity. “I’m

you throughout all of this. So whatever you need, I’m here.

you win this competition.”

heart swell a little at his offer. The man I used to love—the man I still