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

line of sight,

eyes searching mine for something—confirmation, maybe,

reassurance.

I reply cautiously. “You’re

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

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

“You’re trying to butter

surprisingly endearing sound.

say, letting a slightly serious tone take over my voice. “And actually, I’ve thought about

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

disappointment that flickers across his eyes is subtle but

nods.

mind. Just those two words: “I

times I’ve heard

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

anyway?”

he says, taking a step back. “It’s your decision whether you go or

little time off. But if you don’t

I’m left standing here, coffee cup in

to assume that he had ulterior motives behind inviting me

to wonder if that was ever the case

…

p.m., the post-lunch lull

a brief moment before

out or crises to deal with, I decide to leave the sanctuary of my office

around the floor. But as I do,

amicably. My first instinct is to

I suspect that the conversation

of their line of sight

asks. His

when talking to

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

of pasta a day for the

heart. Have you tried the fettuccine

Daisy exclaims. “It’s the best dish on the menu,

dishes like that.”

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

heart wander