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

sight,

searching

reassurance.

I reply cautiously.

a lopsided grin, holding the cup out to

It’s sweet and light, just the way

to butter me up again, aren’t

a low and surprisingly

serious tone take over my voice. “And

but I can’t come with you. It’s not a good idea…

his eyes is

nods.

argument, no second attempt to change my mind. Just

I’ve heard Karl utter those words on

I find myself saying. “You’re not gonna try to

anyway?”

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

time off. But if you don’t want

standing here, coffee cup in hand, my eyes

he had ulterior motives behind inviting

wonder if

…

p.m., the post-lunch lull when the restaurant can finally

moment before the chaos of dinner

to deal with,

I do, I notice Karl talking with Daisy. And

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

the conversation will go south, but something holds

stand here, just out of their line of sight but close enough

Daisy, what kind of food do you like?” Karl asks. His voice

when talking to a

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

of pasta a day for the rest of my life and be

my own heart. Have you tried

exclaims. “It’s the best dish on the menu, in my opinion! I kind

dishes like that.”

in response. I can hear the

my heart wander a bit in my