Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 180

I look into Karl’s eyes. “What, like I did with you?” I murmur.

Karl’s eyes widen for a moment. His expression shifts from skepticism, to anger, and finally to understanding before his gaze drops to the floor. I can tell I struck a chord with him, and maybe it’s for the best; to remind him that I let him come here, let him walk back into my life, against all odds.

“I know it's a risk, Karl, but what if it’s worth it?” I continue. “What if he’s exactly what we need? His cooking is transformative, and you know as well as I do that the dishes he could help us create could be a game-changer. I don't just want to win the cook-off; I want to leave the judges stunned. I want them to remember my food for the rest of their lives.”

Karl is silent for a few moments, his eyes darting back and forth as though the gears are turning in his head. Finally, he sighs and meets my gaze again, and there’s more understanding there than ever before.

“Alright,” he says, nodding. “If this is what you want, Abby, then I’ll support you. No matter what.”

Relief floods through me, warm and reassuring. There’s a hint of something else there, too, and suddenly I feel like we’re in the cave again, too close for our own good. I have to quickly look away to hide the blush that’s creeping into my cheeks.

“Thank you, Karl. I knew you would understand.”

“More than that,” he continues, “I’ll even pay for a hotel room for Anton temporarily until he saves up some money. It’s the least we can do if we’re going to upend the man’s life with a ‘probationary period’.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “Karl, that’s incredibly generous of you. But you don’t need to do that.”

He shrugs, but I see the glint of something warm and tender in his eyes. “But I do need to do it, Abby. Not just for him, but for you.”

As we lock up and head out for the night, Karl sidles up next to me. “You realize we’re playing with fire here, right?” he whispers.

“Oh, I know,” I reply, glancing up ahead to see Anton and John walking side-by-side, already thick as thieves. “But sometimes you have to stoke the flames to see how bright they can burn, you know?”

Karl chuckles, a low, warm sound that eases some of the tension I didn’t even know I was holding. “Then let’s hope it’s a controlled burn, eh?”

I laugh too, although I’m not sure whether it’s from excitement, nerves, or something more personal. “Or at least one that cooks up something amazing.”