Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 265

Abby

Sunlight spills through the restaurant windows, casting a warm golden glow over the bar where everyone is leaning. It’s right before opening, and I’ve called everyone: Chloe, Daisy, Ethan, John, and Anton to the front. Leah is here too before work, a cardboard cup of coffee in her hand, which Chloe gave to her on the house.

“So, guys,” I start, my voice trembling slightly. “I have something to tell you.”

Chloe looks up from her phone, a spark of interest in her eyes. Leah takes a sip of her coffee as her eyebrows raise. John, Anton, Ethan, and Daisy lean forward. It’s now or never.

“They want me to cater the Alpha party after all,” I blurt out. “The judges are coming here, on Saturday, to try my food again.” The words tumble out like an avalanche. For a second, there’s silence. Then, the bar erupts.

“What? Seriously?” John’s voice is a mix of shock and pride.

“That’s amazing, Abby!” Daisy’s grin is as bright as ever.

Ethan’s hand lands on my shoulder, his smile gentle and encouraging. “You’re going to knock it out of the park.”

I can’t help the giggle that bubbles up. “Thanks, I—”

“You haven’t been in your kitchen for weeks, Abby,” Chloe interjects, logical as ever. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

The laughter dies in my throat. She’s right. I haven’t cooked anything significant in what feels like an eternity, and the thought of going into the kitchen makes my stomach churn. My skills might as well be nonexistent right now.

“Well, um…” My voice trails off, and I’m left standing here, unsure of what to say. That’s when the first group of customers comes in for breakfast, and the group disperses with murmurs of encouragement, leaving only me, Leah, and Chloe standing at the bar.

“Look,” Leah says, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Why don’t Chloe and I come over tonight?”

“Yeah,” Chloe chimes in. “You can cook something for us. Consider it a… practice run.”

I swallow, nodding, and meet my friends’ gazes. “Okay. Practice run. Sounds good.”

…

The smell of garlic and basil fills my kitchen as I chop vegetables with a rhythm that feels both familiar and foreign. Leah and Chloe are due to arrive at any minute, and the knots in my stomach tighten with each slice of the knife.

When the doorbell rings, I nearly jump out of my skin. Pulling myself together, I open the door to find Leah and Chloe, each bearing a bottle of wine and wide smiles.