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

of sight, a

his eyes searching mine for something—confirmation, maybe,

reassurance.

reply cautiously. “You’re here

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

just the way I like

trying to butter me up again,

surprisingly endearing sound.

I say, letting a slightly serious tone take over my

you. It’s not a good idea…

eyes is subtle but unmistakable. But much

simply nods.

second attempt to change my mind. Just those two words:

the amount of times I’ve heard Karl utter those

fact, I’m surprised. “That’s it?” I find myself saying.

anyway?”

back. “It’s your decision whether you go or not. I just

a chance to take a little time off. But

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

that he had ulterior motives

to wonder if that was ever the

…

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

before the chaos of

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

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

is to

suspect that the conversation will

their line of

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

talking to a pretty young

I honestly just love Italian food,” Daisy

a day for the rest of my

a woman after my own heart. Have you tried the

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

dishes like that.”

Karl says in response. I

about it makes my heart