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

searching

reassurance.

cautiously. “You’re

a lopsided grin, holding the cup out to me. “Wanted to

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

to butter me up

surprisingly

serious tone take over

Karl, but I can’t come with you. It’s

disappointment that flickers across his eyes is

nods. “I

no second attempt to change my mind. Just those two words: “I understand.”

I’ve heard Karl

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

anyway?”

he says, taking a step back. “It’s your decision

take a little time off. But if you don’t want to go, I

here, coffee cup in hand, my eyes wide

ulterior motives behind inviting

starting to wonder if that was ever the

…

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

for a brief moment before the chaos of dinner

out or crises to deal with, I

around the floor. But as I do, I notice Karl talking with Daisy. And it

by the kitchen, chatting amicably. My first instinct is to approach them, maybe

suspect that the conversation will go south, but something

their line of

food do you like?” Karl asks. His voice is genuine, not the

to

just love Italian food,” Daisy says. “I feel like I could

for the rest of my life

“Ah, a woman after my own heart. Have

“It’s the best dish on the menu, in my opinion! I kind of wish we

dishes like that.”

one of Abby’s specialties,” Karl says in response. I can hear the note

my heart wander a