Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Abby

The atmosphere shifts as our arms untangle. We’re all a little teary-eyed, but none of us say it. Instead,

Chloe reaches for a tissue from the box on her coffee table, and holds it out for me.

“Well, I didn’t expect this tonight,” Leah says, sniffling.

“Yeah, me neither,” Chloe says, dabbing at her eyes too. She looks at me, her gaze still soft but

punctuated by a new intensity. “But I just have one more thing to say: it can’t always be this easy, Abby.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, bracing myself.

Chloe seems to choose her words carefully as she speaks. “I need to know you’re serious about what you

said. Karl gets one more chance, Abby. One. If he messes up again, and you keep giving him the time of

day, then—”

Enter title…

She doesn’t finish, but she doesn’t need to. “I get it,” I say quietly, locking eyes with her. “And thank you.

Thank you for giving me another chance, too.”

Chloe nods, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile. “Well, someone’s gotta keep you on your toes, right?”

“Speak for yourself,” Leah chimes in, picking up her wine glass from the coffee table. “Keeping both of you

in check is like my full-time job at this point.”

A ripple of laughter goes through us, as if the pressure has been released. We settle into Chloe’s plush

sofas, the soft cushions embracing us like an old friend. Chloe refills our wine glasses, and we toast.

friendship,” Leah says,

it’s

to understanding,”

…

of the restaurant, I feel

metaphorically and literally.

exclaims, throwing her

genuinely happy. “It’s good

jokes with a wink, even though it’s been anything

in the air. I glance

for a moment, and I can practically feel

Here it comes.

speechless, Chloe walks up

shaking it firmly. They exchange a few inaudible

ear. He nods, almost

to the kitchen.

I ask Chloe as she returns to

“Oh, nothing. Just

my eyes but can’t contain

for it,” she counters,

invoices, and

door, and I look

frame.

a sec?” he

“Sure. What’s up?”

and hands me a piece of paper with a name and phone number

Alex, is super interested in covering the

paper from him, somewhat surprised. “Thanks, Karl. You

half-smile. “Just doing my part.

the number. My pulse races

Alex,” the female voice says