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 contain our interactions to

only. It’s easier that way. But

at this spreadsheet for so long that the numbers are starting to dance on the screen

resolved

grab a drink. But just one, you

mouth that used to drive me crazy in love. “One

“I can live with

to the bar down the street. The

late-night setting

creaky wooden floors

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

frequented this bar on Friday nights over the years since I

restaurant.

Karl in turn. “What

my mouth to respond, but before I can, Karl speaks

off, I raise my eyebrow

“Couldn’t let me

grins. “Like you wouldn’t have ordered the same thing

me. Too well, in fact. The bartender

warmth spreads through me, the lines between past and

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

some light chit-chat

his fingers nervously circling the rim of his glass. “I need to

Karl’s reconciliation with Chloe yesterday

time being. “Apologize?” I

competition. I know it’s important to you and to

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

in front of him.

charged and filled with

to be skeptical, cautious. But

a lot to me, Karl,” I murmur.

night.”

But

“Enough? I—”

finish,” he says gently, his brown eyes filled with sincerity. “I’m so proud

of this. So whatever

you win this competition.”

at his offer. The man I used to love—the man I