Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 185

Abby

The restaurant door clicks shut behind Karl, sealing off the outside world and its nosy journalists. Karl brushes off his hands as if he’s just dealt with a minor annoyance, but his eyes meet mine, full of concern.

“You okay, Abby?” he asks, walking over to where I’m standing.

“I’m fine,” I say, even though my pulse is still racing. “Just a little shaken up. I didn’t expect that.”

Karl sighs and leans against the counter. “Welcome to the future, Abby. The more successful you become, the more people will come after you, trying to crush your spirit and ruin your reputation.”

His words, although harsh, are true. I should have expected that something like this would happen if I hired a homeless person. Not everyone is as understanding as the people who work in my restaurant, I guess.

“Yeah,” I admit, playing nervously with the edge of my apron. “I just hope it doesn’t affect the restaurant. You know how easily people can be swayed.”

He nods, his gaze still intently on me. “But you also know that people are already talking about how much better the food is, all thanks to Anton. You’re just getting started, Abby. You’re gonna knock ‘em dead.”

Something in the way Karl says it, the sincerity in his eyes, washes over me. I want to believe him. No, I need to believe him.

“I hope you’re right, Karl. I really do.”

Karl nods and offers me a slight smile. I pause, my eyes lingering on him. “And, um, thank you for apologizing to Anton earlier, by the way. It means a lot to me.”

His eyes soften, just a little, enough to take the edge off his usually stern gaze. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy, Abby. You know that.”

My cheeks flush; I can feel the warmth spread across my face. Karl saying that, in that tone, with those brown eyes locked onto mine, brings back a rush of memories and emotions.

Suddenly, it’s just the two of us, and we’re married again, standing in our old kitchen. Back before all of the appointments and the Alpha duties, back before the black hair and the modest clothing and the arguments.

Back when things were simple. Back when things were easy.