Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Chapter 116
Abby

My apartment door shuts behind me with a satisfying click after a long day of being away from home.

With a sigh, I throw my bag on the couch, and flop down beside it.

But it’s not long before I’m on my feet again, pacing my apartment floor as I chew on my lower lip.

Karl’s proposition still lingers in my mind: going with him to the pack? To our old home?

My first instinct screams at me to not go, of course. To return to our old home together? How is that not

a recipe for disaster?

As I finally decide to pour myself a glass of wine to calm my frayed nerves, I think to myself that right

now, I really do have it all. A successful career, friends who love me, and the cook-off coming up. Why

throw a wrench into it by letting Karl back into my life in that way? We’re doing just fine as friends,

keeping everything at arm’s length between us. There’s no need for it to become more than that.

But then, there’s still a tiny sliver of myself that almost considers going with him. My life was once

entwined with his, after all. The long talks in our garden at sunset, the joy of cooking in a kitchen I had

designed myself.

But that was a lifetime ago.

I take a sip of wine, letting the bitter flavor linger on my tongue before swallowing. “Tomorrow,” I

resolve, “I’ll tell him I can’t go. It’s for the best.”

…

The scent of freshly brewed coffee greets me the moment I walk into the restaurant. It’s comforting and

slightly bittersweet, but also unexpected. I should be the only one here right now, and I didn’t see

Ethan’s car on the way in; but I’ve hardly made it halfway through the door when Karl suddenly steps

my line of sight, a

he greets, his eyes searching mine for something—confirmation, maybe, or

reassurance.

cautiously. “You’re

out to me.

the cup. It’s sweet and light, just the way I like it. But

trying to butter

chuckles, a low and surprisingly endearing sound.

take over my voice. “And actually, I’ve thought about

but I can’t come with you.

flickers across his eyes is subtle but unmistakable.

simply nods. “I

my mind. Just those two words: “I understand.” I

I’ve heard Karl utter

it?” I find myself saying. “You’re not

anyway?”

Abby,” he says, taking a step back. “It’s your decision whether you go or not. I just

off. But if you

leave, and I’m left standing here, coffee cup in hand, my eyes wide with

night was to assume that he had ulterior motives behind inviting

now, I’m starting to wonder if that was ever

…

to the clock again—2:37 p.m., the post-lunch lull when

for a brief moment before

crises to deal with, I decide to leave the sanctuary

quick walk around the floor. But as I do,

chatting amicably. My first instinct is to approach them, maybe cr ack a joke

the conversation will

of their line

you like?” Karl asks. His voice

talking to a pretty

know it’s a little basic, but I honestly just love Italian food,” Daisy

a day for the rest of my

“Ah, a woman after my own heart.

menu, in

dishes like that.”

says in response. I can

heart wander