Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 12

Abby

A cool breeze drifts in through the kitchen window, and I cross the room to peer outside. I live on the top floor of my building, and I’ve got a great view of a nearby park. Standing at the window, I can hear the whoosh of the wind, and shouts down on the street.

I’ve been waiting to hear from Karl, but he hasn’t called yet. I need to know if my restaurant can open tonight, so I can get started on everything. The more time that passes, the more tense I become. I spent the past fifteen minutes staring at the phone, but like a watched pot, staring at it just made it less likely to ever ring.

My door buzzes, shocking me from my stupor. I cross the bright space and down a narrow hall to the door.

I press the button and lean in close. “Hello?”

“Abby, it’s Karl. Mind if I come up?”

I don’t answer for a moment. I didn’t exactly tell him where I live, but I guess I didn’t have to. With all those investigators working for him, I’m sure he knows everything about my life here. As much as I want to refuse, I don’t think it will deter him.

“Sure.”

Of course, he couldn’t just call.

I press the button to let him in and open my front door. There are only five floors, and it doesn’t take long before I hear his footsteps on the stairs. He rounds the corner and smiles when he sees me standing in the doorway. He’s holding a man by the collar, and he shoves him ahead.

“What are you doing here?” I turn to eye the man with him. “Who’s your friend?”

“Oh him?” Karl shoves the man to his knees in front of me. He looks up at Karl with wide eyes, then turns to me with a pleading look.

“Go on,” Karl says.

“I’m very sorry Abby.” He looks up at me, and I have a hard time meeting his gaze. “I own The Crystal Palace. I’m the one who made a complaint against your restaurant.”

“Oh.”

Karl snarls at him.

“I’m going to make it right, and it won’t ever happen again.”

He gives Karl a terrified look. Karl just looks at me, waiting for my response.

“Alright, I appreciate the apology.” I turn to Karl. “I think you can let him go.”

Karl shrugs, and the man jumps to his feet. “Sorry again,” he says, then he scrambles away, his shoulders curled in. Karl watches him jog down the stairs, a smug look on his face.

“Was that really necessary?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest.

Karl turns back to me. “He owed you an apology.”

“You don’t think you might have taken it a bit too far?” It’s just like him to blow things out of proportion.

He just shakes his head. “Can I come in?” he asks, looking past me into the apartment. “You promised me a talk.”

I sigh but step out of the way. He wanders down the hall to the living room and I trail after him.

“Feel free to sit,” I say, gesturing to the green couch and the brown leather armchairs. He perches on the edge of one of the chairs and I take the couch.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” I ask. “I don’t think it’s really a good idea to contact your ex-wife after a divorce.”

He looks over at me, his expression unreadable. “I’m here on behalf of the pack for the Alpha party.”

My eyebrows go up. “Is that so?”

“Regret?” I can’t help but roll my eyes. “After you brought your new wife to my restaurant? What exactly do you regret?”

He stares at me for a moment, then laughs. “Oh, Abby.” He leans toward me, his knees mere inches from mine. “Are you jealous?”

I can’t help it. His scent scrambles my mind. The aggression in it makes me a little dizzy, and I force myself to lean away from him.

“No, not at all,” I say, trying to get a handle on myself.

He leans back in the chair and smiles a grim smile. “Tiffany’s my cousin, not my wife.”

His cousin? Last I heard, she was studying abroad somewhere. We never met when I was married to Karl. “Oh.”

“So, no new wives for me.”

I nod, looking away from him. Not for the first time I wish he would just leave me alone. I hate how my heart speeds up at his words, that a small part of me feels glee at the fact that he isn’t married, that the beautiful, perfect woman he’s been going around with is just a member of his family. I need to get him out of here before I do something I’ll regret.

“I’m not really interested in reminiscing,” I say, forcing myself to look at him again. His brows pull together. “I have a restaurant to run, and I’m very busy.” I stand up and gesture toward the door. “I need to leave, and you should, too.”

He stands up and adjusts the creases in his suit. “I’m not having a good time,” he says, taking a step toward me. I know it shouldn’t, but the low note in his voice tugs on my heartstrings a little. “Is it possible for us to start over?”

I shake my head, surprised at my sudden desire to cry. Where was this guy three years ago? Doesn’t he understand that it’s too late now? He broke my heart.

“No, it’s not possible.”

I pull my necklace out from around my neck and show it to him. He takes an involuntary step back, and I can practically see him shutting down his emotions, one by one, as he stares at the diamond ring.

“I’m engaged.”