Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 204

Abby

“Should we head back to the table?”

Karl nods his head toward the table where Gianna and Ethan are still sitting. I follow his gaze, taking a moment to watch as Gianna leans over and whispers something into Ethan’s ear. I don’t want to go back, but I know it’s the polite thing to do.

“Sure,” I respond with a nod of my head.

However, just as we’re about to head back, there’s a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Daisy standing there.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she says, “but you’re needed back in the kitchen. Another rush is coming in.”

“Okay, Daisy,” I reply with a stiff smile. “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be back soon.”

Daisy gives me a nod and scurries away, but not before her eyes flicker back and forth between Karl and me for a moment, a conspiratorial look in her gaze.

Once Karl and I are alone again, we stand there for a moment in silence.

I meet Karl’s eyes, a silent apology. I wish I could stay, but I never intended to attend the party all night, and my staff needs me now. I’ve already spent nearly two hours at the party, and the attendance has only gone up since I’ve been out here.

“Go,” he murmurs with a nod of his head, as though reading my conflicted thoughts. “It was nice seeing you.”

“It was… nice seeing you too,” I reply, my voice soft.

For a moment, we just stand there under the colorful lights of the party. The music swells, the lively chatter of the other guests feels deafening, and yet at the same time it feels as if we’re the only two people in the room.

I want to tell Karl that I’d like one more dance, that I’m sorry we couldn’t spend more time together tonight. I want to tell him to stay after the party.

But at the same time, I know that we can’t. We shouldn’t. He has to return to his pack, and I have to stay here and run my restaurant. Whatever magic transpired between us tonight may or may not have a future now. But it was nice while it lasted.

Without another word, because I know I’ll get too emotional, I turn on my heel and walk away.

I feel a pang of sadness as I scurry away, wishing we could have at least had more time together tonight. But it’s time to get back into a professional headspace and put it behind me.

I hurry back to my office, where I quickly change back into my chef’s whites, put my hair back into a neat bun, and remove my makeup. It feels bittersweet as I hang my dress carefully back up on the door, and I pause for a moment, touching the soft fabric as the events of the night wash over me.

But there isn’t any time left to dwell on it. First and foremost, I am the owner of this restaurant, and I have a party to cater.

As I push back into the kitchen, John and Anton look up from behind the line.

“There she is,” John says, sounding relieved. “We’ve got a second rush here. It’s getting a bit crazy.”

I nod, scurrying over to my station. “Sorry to abandon you earlier.”

“Don’t worry about it, Abby,” Anton reassures me with a cheeky grin. “Did you enjoy your last dance?”

Anton’s words make my face flush red, but I can’t help but smile as I get to work chopping vegetables and prepping for the next wave of orders. The dance with Karl was short-lived, and I don’t even know if I’ll see him again tonight—but it was sweet.

“It was… nice,” I reply, averting my gaze. “Really.”

John and Anton don’t say anything else about it, but I can sense their knowing gazes on me. However, I return my attention to the task at hand: putting out delicious meal after delicious meal.

The kitchen turns into a cacophony of noise, and before I know it, I’m hardly thinking about the party at all. I’m too focused on making good food to think about Karl, the dance, or even Gianna and Ethan.

“French onion soup, coming up!”

“Hot pan!”

“Anton, where’s that steak?”

As the night wears on, John, Anton, and I work like a well-oiled machine to beat the second wave of meal orders. Daisy and the other servers float in and out, and each swing of the kitchen door brings in a rush of music from the party, which only reminds me even more of the magical, fleeting moment I shared with Karl on the dance floor.

I focus on chopping vegetables, the rhythmic motion of the knife against the cutting board providing a welcome distraction from the swirl of emotions brought about by the night’s events.

Dancing with Karl had stirred up a whirlwind of feelings I thought I had buried deep inside of me, but I can’t think too much about it right now.

Just as I’m lost in thought, Chloe enters the kitchen with a curious glance around, searching for something—or someone.

Her gaze lands on me, and I instinctively lower my head, pretending to be engrossed in my vegetable chopping.

But she’s as sharp as a tack. She spots me instantly, seeing straight through my act, and storms over to me. Taking advantage of the lull in activity, she grabs my arm and pulls me off to the side, her gaze piercing.

“Tell me my eyes deceived me out there earlier,” she whispers, her gaze intense. “Did you dance with Karl?”

I sigh inwardly, knowing that I can't avoid this conversation any longer. Slowly, I lift my head and meet her concerned gaze. “Yes, Chloe,” I admit quietly. “You saw correctly. We danced together.”

Chloe’s response is immediate and unceremonious; she playfully smacks me on the arm.

“You’re playing with fire, Abby,” she chides, her expression a mixture of worry and disappointment. “You know how complicated things are between you two. And he had a date earlier tonight! He’s a player.”

I wince, feeling the sting of her words. It’s not that I don’t understand her concern; she’s watched me go through the ups and downs of my relationship with Karl over the years. But right now, I don’t need the scolding.

“I know, Chloe. But it was just one dance.”

Chloe shakes her head, her eyes holding a mixture of exasperation and affection. “Abby, I’ve seen this before. You can’t deny that there’s still something between you two. But you’re going to get hurt again if you’re not careful, and besides; I thought you were going to take a break from the romance scene.”

I look down at the vegetables I’m chopping, my heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Chloe’s words are a reminder of the past pain and heartache I’ve experienced because of Karl. But they’re also a reminder of the deep connection we once shared.

“I appreciate your concern, Chloe,” I finally say, my voice softening. “But I need to figure this out on my own. I can’t help how I feel.”

Chloe sighs, her worry for me evident in her eyes. “I know, Abby. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

I meet her gaze and nod. “I’ll be careful.”

“Promise?” she asks, holding out her pinky with a concerned look in her eyes.

For a moment, I hesitate. But then, I nod, intertwining my pinky with hers.

“I promise.”