Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 55

Abby

The ambiance of the restaurant after hours is one of muted stillness, a stark contrast to its bustling daytime persona.

I absolutely cherish these moments, where the world seems to fade, and it’s just me and my culinary creations.

Tonight, it’s not about a new dish or preparation for the next day’s service, nor is it even about the upcoming cookoff for the Alpha party competition.

Instead, it’s personal. Chloe’s birthday is tomorrow, and there’s no way I’m going to let it slide without a special treat. Hence, the covert operation: baking her a surprise birthday cake and finalizing our party plans.

The ingredients lay sprawled on the counter: flour, sugar, eggs, chocolate, vanilla extract, and a myriad of decorations. I’ve decided on a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting—her absolute favorite.

As I start mixing the batter, a shadow unexpectedly looms over me.

Startled, I nearly drop the whisk. Turning around, I’m met with the piercing gaze of Karl. He stands there, his arms crossed, a mixture of annoyance and curiosity evident in his brown eyes.

“Karl!” I exclaim, caught off guard. “What are you doing here? It’s late. You scared me half to death.”

He arches a brow. “Could say the same about you.”

Flustered, I reply, “I could ask you to leave since I literally own the place.”

His smirk is both infuriating and charming at the same time. “Trying to pull rank on me, Abby? Really?”

“Well, what do you want?” I sigh, not in the mood for his banter, especially given our recent encounter.

Instead of answering, he glances down at the mess on the counter, then back to me, eyes softening a little.

“Baking a cake, huh?”

I nod, rolling my eyes. “Observant, aren’t we?”

“I can help,” he offers, surprisingly sincere.

“With the way you reacted the other day? I think I’m good, thanks,” I respond, a little sharper than intended. The memory of the recent confusion between us is still fresh in my mind, the way that he stormed out angrily since I told him that I couldn’t have sex with him.

Karl looks down, momentarily lost in thought. When he speaks, his voice is filled with a rare vulnerability. “Look, I might not be a fan of surprises, but I can’t bear to see someone struggling alone. Especially not you. Let me help, Abby.”

I’m taken aback, not only by his words but the genuineness in his gaze. “You’re not still mad about the other day?”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “A bit, yeah. But this isn't about that. It’s about...” he pauses, searching for the right words. “...Doing something nice. Together.”

The sincerity in his voice warms my heart. “Fine, but only if you promise not to mess it up.”

Karl’s brown eyes glint with mischief, replacing the annoyance in them. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

He washes his hands quickly and then moves to stand beside me. With deft hands, he helps pour the flour, adding just the right amount of cocoa powder. The batter comes together beautifully, velvety and luscious.

For the next hour, it’s a blend of teamwork and teasing. There’s an unexpected ease between us, a camaraderie that blossoms as we laugh at each other’s quips and focus on perfecting the cake.

Soon, the batter is poured into a mold, and it’s slid into the preheated oven. “Now, we wait,” I announce, brushing my flour-covered hands on my apron.

Karl grins, holding up a cupped hand full of flour. “How about a little fun while we do?”

Before I can process what he means, a cloud of white powder is flung at me, dusting my hair and face.

Flour is clinging to my hair, eyelashes, and the tip of my nose. I stare at Karl in wide-eyed disbelief, the initial shock giving way to mischief.