Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 332

Abby

The thumping bass pulses through my body as Karl and I sway together on the crowded dance floor.

His hands span my waist, guiding my hips to move in time with his to the rhythmic music. I revel in the solid warmth of his torso pressed to my back, his breath fanning over the sensitive spot beneath my ear.

“I missed this,” he murmurs, his breath tickling my skin. “Dancing with you…”

I smirk a bit. “Me too.”

In this moment, lost in our own world amidst the energetic crowd, it feels exactly as it did years ago when we were newlyweds. Back when the only thing that existed was each other and the way our bodies fit together so perfectly.

I twist around in Karl’s arms to face him, my lips curving into a contented smile. His own mouth tilts up at the corners, his eyes dark with desire. I can already picture how this will go down later, once we’re alone; or maybe we won’t even make it back to my apartment.

Maybe we’ll stumble into the bathroom here and we’ll just have to pray we don’t get caught.

The song changes to something faster paced and I break away from Karl’s arms, laughing. He makes a playful sound of protest but I dart through the throng of moving bodies, tossing a coy look over my shoulder. Karl comes after me with a hungry grin on his face.

I’ve nearly reached the bar when someone steps into my path. I collide bodily with their solid form, my surprised yelp muffled against a firm chest. Large hands catch my elbows, steadying me.

“I’m so sorry, that was my—” The vaguely familiar voice cuts off abruptly as I tilt my face up. Wide eyes stare down at me in disbelief.

“Abby?”

I jolt in recognition. “Adam?”

For a long moment we simply gape at one another. Then, Adam’s handsome face splits into a genuine smile.

“Abby, wow! What on earth are you doing here?” Without waiting for an answer he crushes me in an enthusiastic hug. I stiffen briefly before allowing myself to relax a bit into the friendly contact.

Over Adam’s shoulder I spot Karl hovering a few feet away, tension emanating from his powerful frame as he watches this unknown man embrace me. He can’t tell it’s Adam from there. He approaches, reaching out to grab Adam’s shoulder, but I stop him with a slight shake of my head.

Oblivious, Adam releases me from the hug but keeps both hands firmly clasping my shoulders. His smiling eyes roam my face. “God, it’s so good to see you! It feels like it’s been ages.”

“Yeah, ah—” I gently extract myself from his hold, hyper aware of Karl’s glowering presence. He’s jealous, just as he’s always been—but then he realizes that it’s Adam, and he relaxes ever so slightly. “Adam, you remember Karl.”

Understanding flashes through Adam’s eyes. He extends a hand. “Of course! Good to see you again, Karl.”

Karl accepts the handshake after only a brief pause. “Hey, Adam,” he says. “Long time no see. I almost didn’t recognize you.” I breathe out a quiet sigh of relief at this first hurdle cleared without incident.

Clearly eager to get reacquainted, Adam gestures toward the bar. “Can I get you guys a drink? We should catch up.”

I exchange a silent glance with Karl. Though his jaw remains clenched, he dips his chin in assent.

“Sure,” Karl says. Protectiveness still radiates from his tensed form, but I know he’s trying his best. I can’t blame him, either; Adam and I were once engaged, and it was Karl who convinced him to break up with me.

But that feels like ages ago now.

Adam orders us a round of drinks with a smile on his face. At the bar, he turns to us, his eyes flickering with what looks like excitement as he takes us in. “So,” he says, “are you two back together?”

I pause and glance at Karl. “We are,” he replies coolly.

A grin stretches across Adam’s face. “I’m happy for you guys. Really. Actually, I’d like you to meet my new partner, Liam.”

As Adam speaks, a young man with smooth blond hair walks up to him. Adam’s arm slips around his waist, pulling me close. “Abby, Karl,” Adam says, “I’d like you both to meet my partner, Liam.”

Liam offers a friendly smile. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, he says. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

My eyebrows raise in surprise. “You have?”

Adam chuckles. “I have to say, Karl, your help a few months ago was amazing for my business. My restaurant is booming now more than ever, and it’s all thanks to you.” He pauses then, turning to face me with an apologetic look in his eyes. “And you, Abby. Without your support… I don’t know where I’d be now.”

“Oh, Adam, I—”

“I mean it,” he says softly. “Abby, I’m so sorry for what happened between us. I… I miss your friendship. You always meant so much to me, and I hope you know that.”

Adam’s words make my heart clench. While part of me still aches over seeing him with another man, hearing him say those words almost seems to fill a void that I didn’t know I had in me.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice barely more than a whisper. “That means a lot.”

Before we know it, the four of us are slipping into easy banter. But while the conversation initially centers around the newfound success of Adam’s restaurant, it inevitably begins veering toward what happened with me and the Alpha gathering.

Adam reaches out, touching my hand. “I hope you know how sorry I am that this has happened to you,” he says softly. “It’s been on my mind a lot lately. And if there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know. Anything you need, really.”

“Actually…” I bite my lower lip, considering for a moment before continuing. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but… do you happen to have any job openings for my old staff?” At Adam’s lifted eyebrows I rush to explain. “Only a handful of servers and line cooks, wonderful hardworking people. They don’t deserve to suffer in all this, and I don’t have much work for them aside from catering gigs here and there with the restaurant closed.”

Understanding flashes across Adam’s face then. He exchanges a quick glance with Liam, who offers an encouraging nod.

“I think we can work something out,” Adam says slowly. “After all, it’s the least I can do after everything.”

My shoulders sag in profound relief and I clasp his hand gratefully. “Thank you so much, Adam. It weighs so heavily knowing their livelihoods are at risk too.”

Adam pats my hand before releasing it. “Well, now at least I can ease that burden a little.” He taps his fingers thoughtfully against his glass for a moment. “In fact, if you yourself want to pick up a few shifts…”

“Hey,” Liam interjects, nudging Adam with his elbow. “What about…”

As Liam speaks, Adam’s eyes widen. “Liam’s right!” he exclaims suddenly. “My head chef recently went on maternity leave with hardly any notice. I’ve been struggling without her management experience. But you—you could fill that role perfectly!”

Stunned, I can only stare at Adam’s earnest expression. “You mean that?” I find myself asking.

Adam nods. “Come on, what do you say, Abbs?” he teases. “My kitchen needs you. And besides, you could be there to manage your own staff.”

I pause, my eyes wide, and glance over at Karl. He sits there quietly holding his drink glass, but his gaze is soft and supportive as ever, which is surprising given my history with Adam.

“I, um… I’ll think about it,” I finally manage, holding up my glass for a small toast. “Thank you, Adam.”

“No, Abby. Thank you.”