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?”

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

easier that way. But then,

that the numbers are

a resolved

We can grab a drink. But just one, you

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

can live

the restaurant, we head to the bar

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

atmosphere, creaky wooden

takes the seat beside me. The bartender comes up to us

I’ve frequented this bar on Friday nights over the years since I

restaurant.

Karl in

respond, but before I can, Karl speaks up. “Two

raise my eyebrow at Karl. “Always the Alpha, huh?”

me order

you wouldn’t have ordered the same thing anyway. I know you,

does know me. Too well, in fact. The bartender pours

between past and present blur

primal instinct of our bond, but I fight against it. I made a promise to myself,

and some light

Karl starts, his fingers nervously circling the

Karl’s reconciliation

his part, at least for the time

not being supportive of the competition. I know it’s

a jerk about it. I was…” He pauses, his brown eyes

front of him.

between us, charged and filled with an honesty that

cautious. But something tells

to me, Karl,” I murmur. “Thank you.

night.”

But I don’t

“Enough? I—”

says gently, his brown eyes filled

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

you win this competition.”

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