Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 236

Abby

There’s still a smile on my face as I make my way back to the bedroom, where Elsie is waiting, engrossed in her phone. She looks up as I enter, a curious glint in her eyes.

“Well, spill it, Abby,” she says, setting her phone aside without a moment’s hesitation. “What did Karl want?”

I can’t help but smirk a bit. Even though the idea of going out on a date with Gianna of all people makes me want to scream, I couldn’t deny the sincerity in Karl’s eyes. And in a way that I don’t want to admit, there are butterflies in my stomach.

But I manage to keep my cool, and shrug as I sit down at my vanity to start putting on some makeup. “He wants to go on a double date.”

Elsie’s eyes light up with excitement. “A double date? That’s fantastic!” She jumps up from the bed and rushes over to me. “We have to get you ready.”

I shake my head, trying to downplay the situation. “Elsie, it’s not what you think,” I say. “It’s with Ethan and… Gianna.”

Elsie makes a face at the mention of Karl’s old secretary’s name. “Gianna? Ew. I mean, I knew she was dating Ethan, but…”

“Look,” I say with a sigh, “I’m just doing this for Karl. He seemed to really want me there. We agreed on a platonic date, so don’t get too excited.”

But Elsie, despite my attempts at downplaying the situation, sees right through my facade. “Bullshit,” she says, setting her wine glass down on the vanity. “A date is a date, and you’re still blushing.”

With a sigh, I finally relent. “Okay, okay. Maybe I’m a little excited. But I can only be so excited when Gianna is involved,” I say.

Elsie shrugs. “All the more reason to get dolled up and look really hot,” she says with a mischievous giggle. I can tell she’s tipsy, and even though it’s endearing, it’s also a little frustrating.

“I’m fine in what I’m wearing,” I say, gesturing to the red mini dress and black cardigan.

She pauses for a moment, taking in my outfit, then places her hands on her hips. “The outfit is great,” she says, then gestures to my hair and face. “But this needs work.”

I can’t help but burst out laughing. “Wow. Thanks, Elsie.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she says with a wave of her hand. She grabs my makeup bag from me and begins digging through it. “You’re gorgeous, Abby. But everyone could always use a little enhancement, you know?”

Before I know it, Elsie is getting to work. Music plays out of the speaker on her phone as she applies my makeup, but my back is turned away from the mirror so I can’t see. Normally, I would be averse to the idea, but Elsie’s enthusiasm is too infectious to be annoyed.

“You’re going to knock their socks off, Abby,” she says as she finishes applying some lipstick in a shade that I can’t see. “Karl won’t know what hit him.”

Suddenly, with a final nod, Elsie turns me around to face my reflection.

“Woah. Elsie…” My eyes widen as I take in my appearance. It’s more than what I would normally wear: a dramatic smokey eye, winged eyeliner, and plum-colored lips.

“Do you like it?” she asks.

I pause for a moment, still in shock. “It’s… not what I’d normally go for,” I admit, leaning in to get a better look, “but honestly… I love it.”

Elsie grins in response; and I’m not lying when I say I love it. She’s somehow managed to enhance all of my features in unexpected ways, and the plum lipstick is like the icing on the cake. The color goes well with my outfit, like a perfect combination of the red and the black.

The last thing I do is pull on a pair of tights and some tall heeled boots, followed by a dainty necklace and some dangly earrings. I take one last look in the full-length mirror, turning this way and that as I take in my appearance.

“Va va voom, if I may say so myself,” Elsie says, making curves in the air with her hands to indicate the way my body looks in the slim-fitted dress. Her words make me blush, but I can’t help but agree. Va va voom indeed.

As I make my way down the stairs, I catch a glimpse of Karl waiting in the living room. He turns as I descend, and his eyes go wide.

For a moment, he seems utterly captivated, and I feel a warmth creep into my cheeks.

“You look... beautiful,” he says in a low, almost reverent tone as he approaches me.

I offer a shy smile, feeling slightly self-conscious under his intense gaze. “Thanks.”

He takes my hand and places a gentle kiss on it, sending a shiver down my spine. I can’t help but blush even more. I was worried that he would think my look is too much, but the way he stares at me just makes me feel even more beautiful.

“Ready?” he asks, offering his arm.

I nod, taking his arm, and together we head to the car. There are butterflies in my stomach in more ways than one, though, as we pull up to the fanciest restaurant in town; I can’t quite shake off the unease building inside of me.

I glance down at my outfit, suddenly worried that I’m underdressed for such an upscale place.

Karl must sense my apprehension because he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “You look perfect, Abby,” he says gently, his eyes meeting mine in the dim light of the car. “Really.”

I nod hesitantly, trying to convince myself that I belong here. Karl’s confidence is infectious, and I take a deep breath and climb out of the car.

We walk up to the restaurant, and Karl opens the car door for me. I step out, and we make our way inside. The restaurant is lit with candles, creating a dim, cozy feel. There’s a lounge singer on the small stage who’s singing along to a soft jazz track, and the clinking of cutlery and glasses fills the air.

“This way,” Karl says, nodding his head for me to follow. We weave our way through the restaurant; and that’s when I see them.

Ethan and Gianna, sitting at a corner booth. Gianna already has a drink in hand, swirling the liquid around absentmindedly as she stares off into the distance. She’s dressed exquisitely, the perfect image of an expensive woman.

And here I am, feeling small beneath her gaze as I approach.

But then there’s Ethan. He stands up as Karl and I approach, his smile warm.

“Abby,” he says, leaning in to kiss my hand. “So nice to see you again.”

Gianna, on the other hand, remains seated, her expression less than welcoming. She offers a curt nod in my direction, her lips pressed into a thin line. It’s clear that she’s not thrilled about my presence, but the feeling is mutual.

“Evening,” she says, her tone devoid of any warmth.

I offer a polite but reserved greeting in return, not wanting to provoke any further tension. The atmosphere at the table is already palpably strained.

Karl, however, attempts to break the ice. He pulls my chair out for me and gestures for me to sit. “Don’t worry,” he murmurs in my ear, his fingers brushing mine as we take our seats beside each other. “I’m here.”

His words make me blush. And in that moment, I’m glad to have him by my side.