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?”

by surprise. All this time, I’ve tried to contain our interactions

only. It’s easier that way. But then, at the same time, it

for so long that the numbers are starting to dance

with a resolved sigh, I shut my

drink. But just one,

of the corners of his mouth that used

“I can

to the bar down the street. The

the casual ambiance of the late-night setting feels almost surreal. This

atmosphere, creaky wooden

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

I recognize him well; I’ve frequented this bar on Friday nights over the years since

restaurant.

bartender says, nodding politely to Karl in turn.

my mouth to respond, but before I

off, I raise my eyebrow at Karl.

me

you wouldn’t have ordered the same thing anyway.

right; he does know me. Too well, in fact. The

me, the lines between past and present

to Karl, a primal instinct of our bond, but I fight against

and some

the rim of his glass. “I need to

reconciliation

least for the time being. “Apologize?” I mutter. “Why? For

the competition. I know it’s important

jerk about it. I was…” He pauses, his brown eyes studying the glass

front of him.

words hang in the air between us, charged and filled with an

be skeptical, cautious. But something tells me this is

a lot to me, Karl,” I

night.”

“I know. But I don’t feel as though it was

“Enough? I—”

filled with sincerity.

all of this. So whatever you need,

you win this competition.”

offer. The man