Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 7

Karl

Tiffany’s mouth drops open. She looks at me with some panic, but I don’t know what to say. I’m equally, if not more, shocked than she is.

“Are you kidding me?” she says. “You’re the owner of this place?”

Abby exchanges a glance with the man beside her. He shifts uncomfortably, looking for a chance to escape.

“Occasionally,” she replies. “I’m also the chef.”

I look at her for a long moment, something heavy sitting on my chest. “Can we talk alone?”

Her gaze finds mine, and she frowns at the look on my face. After a moment, she glances down at her watch. “I’m sorry, but the restaurant is really busy tonight. I have to get to another customer.”

She leans closer to the man beside her, and they talk for a moment in low voices. I clench my jaw, annoyed at the sight of them standing so close. Are they together or are they just colleagues?

“Thanks, Abby,” he says finally. He gives us a weary look as he moves around us and exits the restaurant.

“Abby–” I start, but the door behind us opens, cutting me off.

A woman walks in, and Abby’s face lights up at the sight of her. She’s dressed in a flattering black dress, with one of the biggest diamond necklaces I’ve ever seen. Her gaze finds Tiffany and me. She looks us up and down, then dismisses us completely. Beside me, Tiffany bristles.

Abby greets her warmly, giving her a hug. “Hi, how are you?” she says.

I clench my hands into fists. I can almost feel the heat of her body as the memory of holding her in my arms comes back to me. She gave the best hugs. After a hard day, there was nothing I wanted more than to hold her in my arms, and it always made me feel better. I haven’t realized just how much I’ve missed that until now.

“I’m great, honey. How are you?” The lady returns her hug, then takes a step back. “I know I was just here the other night, but I couldn’t resist.”

The smile Abby gives her brings back more memories than I’d care to admit. I used to make her smile like that. Now the way she looks at me makes me feel like I’m slowly suffocating.

“What did you think of our new dish?” Abby asks.

“Excellent, Abby. Truly,” the woman replies.

Tiffany and I don’t speak as we watch Abby lead the woman to her table, then move over to the bar. I’m not even sure what we’re still doing here, but I can’t bring myself to leave.

Abby circles back a few moments later with a drink, placing it down at the women's table. They chat amiably for a moment, before Abby moves on to the customers beside her. It’s clear she’s good at her job, and that her customers like her.