Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 290

My smile wavers as I turn away, my mind still on Logan’s words. Hasn’t your sous chef told you? The question echoes in my mind, over and over, like a broken record on repeat.

As I busy myself with doling out the coffee, my eyes keep flicking to Karl. He’s listening to a story of Vanessa’s, laughing at something she’s said, and he looks up, catching my eye.

He smiles, but I don’t smile back. Not this time.

Because now I need to know. What really happened between him and Logan? And if it’s so important, why didn’t he tell me?

But this isn’t the time or the place. Not with the judges here, not with the evening still going on. I’ll have to wait, to put on a brave face and play the perfect hostess until they leave.

…

“Well, Abby,” Vanessa says, her coat in hand, “tonight was lovely. We’ll be sure to send out our verdict tomorrow.”

“You’ll receive a call from Mr. Thompson, of course,” Xavier chimes in with a warm smile.

I nod, although the movement feels robotic. “Thank you. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

The judges say their goodbyes—even Logan offers a curt nod. But as the door clicks shut behind them and their voices fade away into the night, the air seems to rush out of the room.

I stand by the door, my hand still resting on the cool metal of the handle, watching through the glass as their figures disappear down the street. The tension I’ve been carrying in my shoulders all night seems to unwind ever so slightly. I finally feel like I can relax, like the mask can come off.

Then I hear his voice, gentle yet uncertain. “Abby?”

I turn to find Karl standing there, his expression unreadable. In the quiet space of the now empty room, his presence is both a comfort and a reminder of Logan’s cryptic words earlier.