Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 200

Abby

The sun pours through the curtains, bathing my bedroom in a soft, golden light. As I slowly blink awake, I’m almost immediately filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

My friends, my little family, they all came together to help me last night. My apartment is almost back to normal, just waiting for a fresh coat of paint and some minor repairs that the landlord promised to handle at no cost.

But then it hits me—the kiss.

My cheeks flush at the memory.

Karl and I, alone in the pantry, his lips meeting mine in a stolen moment that felt like it lasted forever. I can’t shake off the feeling of his lips against mine, the sensation of his hair curling through my fingers, or the way my wolf seemed to wake up, even if just for a moment.

And then there was the awkwardness that followed, the way he walked away, his face unreadable. He was quiet the rest of the evening, and I noticed that he slipped away early.

“Ugh,” I groan softly, getting out of bed.

As I walk into the living room, Chloe and Leah, who crashed on my sofa, stir awake.

“Morning, sleepyheads,” I greet them, still trying to shake off my own complicated feelings.

“Good morning,” Leah mumbles, her voice rough from sleep. “I need coffee.”

“Me too,” Chloe agrees, stretching her arms.

I purse my lips, glancing at the kitchen. Unfortunately, my coffee maker was one of the things that got wrecked. I scratch my head and look back at my friends. “Cafe?”

They grin, almost sitting up in unison.

“Cafe it is.”

We decide on a nearby cafe, known for its strong coffee and its fluffy, cloudlike croissants. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, a gentle hum of chatter filling the air.

We settle into a table in the window after grabbing our coffee and pastries, and I’m grateful for the easy conversation, for the warmth of the sun, and for the laughter that temporarily makes me forget about last night’s awkward kiss with Karl.

“So, anything interesting happen with Karl last night?” Chloe finally asks, her eyes meeting mine. “You two were in the pantry for a while and then, boom! Both of you looked like you saw a ghost.”

And we all join in the laughter, each of us hiding our own complexities, our fears and hopes tucked away behind the safety of our smiles.

The moment feels bittersweet, and I find my thoughts drifting back to Karl. The tension between us is something I can't ignore, no matter how much I try to laugh it off.

But today, I can’t focus on it. Today, I have friends to laugh with, an article to read, and a restaurant to run.

…

I push open the heavy wooden door to the restaurant an hour later, and a myriad of savory scents envelops me as I step inside.

The sounds of laughter and conversation fill the air, harmonizing with the soft melodies of jazz music playing in the background. I love days where I’m scheduled to come in late, if only because I love the feeling of the restaurant being in full swing when I arrive.

My eyes scan the room until they land on a few familiar faces at the bar: Chloe, Ethan, and Daisy. They smirk when I arrive.

“Hey there,” Chloe says, sliding a newspaper across the bar to me as I approach. “Didn’t forget, did you?”