Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 286

Abby

Elsie and I make our way to the local cafe, the bell above the door jingling as we enter. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods instantly fills my senses, and the sound of soft jazz music plays over the speakers.

We order our usual coffee and find a corner booth to settle in. The chatter of other patrons fills the air, and it’s comforting to be surrounded by the familiar hum of small-town life. Elsie and I made a promise to each other to come out, just the two of us, without men on the mind.

I’m still a bit pissed at Karl after everything that happened, and I don’t want to talk about the announcement at the party, either. I just want to enjoy some coffee with my friend.

“So, Elsie,” I begin, taking a sip of my coffee, “what’s been on your mind lately?”

Elsie leans back in her chair, stirring her coffee. “You know, Abby,” she says, “I’ve actually been thinking about going back to college. I don’t know, is that crazy?”

I can’t hide my surprise, and I nearly spill my coffee in the process. “College? No, that’s not crazy at all, Elsie! What were you thinking of studying?”

A bright smile spreads across her face, and her enthusiasm is contagious. “I’ve always wanted to be a vet tech,” she says. “I love animals, and I want to help sick animals whenever I can.”

Elsie’s words make me smile. I’ve always known that Elsie had a soft spot for animals, and it makes me happy to see my friend potentially pursuing something that makes her happy. “Oh, Elsie, I’m so happy for you,” I say.

“So you think I should do it?” she asks.

I nod. “Of course I do,” I respond. “Where are you thinking of going?”

Elsie’s eyes sparkle, and she takes a sip of her coffee. “I’ve been looking into local community colleges just to start,” she says. “I want to stay here, close to my mom; and if I’m being honest, I don’t want to leave this town. I love it too much here.”

“Community college is a great option,” I say. “Plus, it’s cheaper. And I’d be lying if I said I don’t want you to stay somewhere close so that we can still hang out.”

“That’s also been on my mind,” Elsie says with a smirk. “But I know you don’t want to talk about it, so I won’t bother you. Although, I do have to ask: are you going to be around more often, then?”

As she speaks, I can feel my heart begin to pound in my chest. I will be staying here at least until my restaurant can safely reopen, but what happens after that is still up in the air for the most part. “I… I’ll likely be splitting my time between here and the city,” I finally say. “But, Elsie, about me and Karl—”

Elsie clicks her tongue and shakes her head. “Abby, I thought we weren’t gonna talk about it,” she teases. “And besides, I’ve got a pretty good idea as to what’s going on. You don’t need to explain.”

I can’t help but let out a soft sigh of relief. “Thanks, Elsie.”

We continue chatting and sipping our coffees, but the longer I sit here, the more the thought floats through my head: I do love it here. I miss the feeling of living in a smaller town. I miss the sense of community, and although I never thought I would say this, I sort of miss recognizing most people I see.

Even now, I can recognize many of the other cafe patrons: an elderly couple who has been coming here for years, a local writer who always sits in the corner with her laptop, a group of ladies who meet up every week. I even recognize the barista as a high school student who has been here since she was sixteen, although she must be almost twenty by now.

She makes the best cappuccinos, too.

Elsie, however, noticing the way I’m looking around, follows my gaze. “Everything okay?” she asks.

I nod, blinking away some tears of nostalgia that threaten to come. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” I say as I take another sip of my coffee. “It’s just… I do love it here,” I admit.

Elsie’s gaze softens, and she offers me a gentle smile. “It’s a good place to be,” she says softly. “And it’s even better with you here.”

Her words make me sigh a bit. “I wish things were simpler.”

Elsie nods slowly, then reaches across the table to give my hand a squeeze. “It’s okay if things aren’t simple,” she says. “And besides, even if you can’t stay here all of the time, this place isn’t going anywhere. It’ll always be here for you if you get tired of the big city.”

I know she’s right, and I’m grateful for her insight, but her words also make me think. I can’t help but wonder what will happen with the election down the road. Will this sweet town stay the same if Ethan and Gianna win?

Or will Gianna’s claws sink into the very earth we stand on?

…

I’m sitting in the living room. The sun has long since gone down, and I’m curled up beneath a blanket with a good book. After my date with Elsie earlier, I feel lighter—but I also feel heavier, because I keep thinking about all of the possibilities, all of the what-ifs.

As I try to focus on my book, though, I hear someone coming. I look up from the pages and see Karl walking in, a mischievous grin on his face. His sudden appearance catches me off guard.

“You’re grinning from ear to ear. What’s going on?” I ask, closing the book and setting it aside.

Karl takes a seat across from me, his eyes fixed on mine. “I’ve got a proposition for you,” he says, his voice filled with excitement.

I arch an eyebrow, intrigued by his enthusiasm. “Okay, I’m listening. What’s this proposition of yours?”

“So I was talking to Sarah earlier,” he says, “and I’m going to be working on a library building project in town.”

“Okay,” I say. “That sounds interesting.”

“But that’s not all,” Karl explains. “I had an idea when she mentioned it to me. Something that might help your restaurant staff, just as you said you wanted to do.”

I furrow my brow. “Go on.”

Karl takes a deep breath before he continues. “What if we brought your staff here? The event needs a caterer for the workers. It’ll be a weeklong project.”

My eyes widen in surprise at his suggestion. It’s not at all what I expected to hear. “Wait, you want to bring my restaurant staff here? For a whole week?”

Karl nods eagerly. “Yes! We can have them provide food for the workers, and I’ll pay them well for their services. It’ll give them a job and create great press for your restaurant, Abby.”

I’m taken aback by the idea. On one hand, I miss running my restaurant and being in the kitchen. The thought of being at the forefront of a food operation again is enticing. On the other hand, it means facing Chloe and Leah and confessing everything.

It’s going to be complicated and maybe even a little embarrassing, to say the least.

“Karl, this is a crazy idea,” I say, shaking my head. “I mean, I miss running my restaurant, but bringing my staff here for a week?”

“Abby, you have to trust me on this,” he says softly. “I’ve thought it through, and I believe it’s a win-win situation. Your staff gets to make some money, and your restaurant gets positive publicity. You’ll be in charge, running the show, just like old times.”

I can’t deny the appeal of being back in control of my restaurant, even if it’s just for a week. And the idea of my staff benefiting from it is heartwarming. But there’s still a part of me that’s skeptical, that wonders if Karl’s motives are solely driven by the need to boost his approval ratings.

“Karl, are you doing all of this just for your approval ratings?”

Karl’s gaze softens. “Abby, I won’t deny that my approval ratings matter to me,” he admits. “But I also want to make things right, for both of us. I promised I would come up with something to help you and your staff, didn’t I?”

“You’ve changed,” I murmur.

Karl chuckles. “I try,” he says. “And by the way, before you ask: I’ll talk to Chloe and Leah.”

My eyebrows raise. “Really? You’ll do that?”

“Abby, of course,” Karl says. “A deal is a deal. You wanted me to confess to Chloe and Leah, and so I will. Besides, I want to.”

Karl’s words take me by surprise. I guess I never expected him to actually follow through with the stipulations of our agreement, and yet here he is, making promises before I even have the chance to ask.

“Well?” Karl asks, quirking an eyebrow. “What do you say?”

I nod, already too intrigued by this idea to say no. “Let’s go for it,” I say.

Karl grins. “Good,” he says, standing. “If you can just send out the invite to your staff, I’ll handle everything else.”

With that, Karl turns on his heel and begins to walk out of the room. But I find myself standing, calling after him. “Karl, wait.”

Karl pauses, slowly turning to face me. “What’s up?”

As I look at him, I feel a blush creep into my cheeks. I hate to admit it, even to myself, but his actions tonight have softened me toward him ever so slightly. And as I stand here, looking at him in the dim light of the living room, I can’t help but feel that undeniable attraction to him once more.

“T-Thank you,” I manage, still holding his gaze despite the heat in my cheeks. “For everything.”

Karl looks at me for a moment, and then his eyes soften. “No, Abby,” he says. “Thank you.”