Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 168

His eyes are intense, unwavering as they lock onto mine. “If getting close means putting you in danger, then yes. We have to let it go. I’m sorry, Abby.”

I exhale, a shuddering breath that does nothing to quell the turmoil inside me.

The tension between us could be sliced with a knife. Part of me considers letting Karl win this round. But I can’t let this go. I just can’t.

Instead, I reach into my bag and pull out a crumpled piece of paper, holding it up in front of him. It's water-stained and a little tattered, but clearly a hand-drawn map.

“Recognize this?” I ask, my voice filled with a challenge.

Karl’s eyes widen, and for a moment, he’s the one who looks like he’s seen a ghost. “You pickpocketed me? Last night, when I came in here soaking wet?”

I smirk, my heart pounding with a blend of victory and trepidation. Memories of last night flood back in: of hugging him, of noticing the slip of paper sticking out of his pocket with suspicious writing on it, of taking it and slipping it into my own pocket, just in case.

“Of course I did. I saw this map sticking out of your pocket, soaking wet. Thought it might come in handy.”

He exhales, half in disbelief, half in amusement. “Some things never change, do they?”

“Nope,” I grin, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Especially not my knack for mischief.”

He shakes his head, staring at the map then back at me, realizing there’s no way he’s going to change my mind. “You’re going to go, aren’t you? No matter what I say?”

“You know me too well,” I reply, my eyes not leaving his. “I have to try, Karl. I can’t let this slip away.”

I nod, folding up the map and tucking it back into my pocket. “Agreed. Less explaining to do if things go south.”

“Don’t even joke about that,” he says, but there’s a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, breaking the heavy mood that’s been settling over us.

I step closer, my eyes meeting his, wanting him to understand how much this means to me. “Thank you, Karl. For believing in me.”

He looks down at me, his eyes softening. For a moment, there’s just silence between us, both heavy and light at the same time; heavy with the weight of what we’re about to do, of the danger we’re about to put ourselves in, but light with the realization that as a team, we can accomplish anything.

“Well?” he says, his soft voice breaking the silence. “Ready?”