Chapter 0325


    John and Anton don’t say anything else about it, but I can sense their knowing gazes on me. However,


    I return my attention to the task at hand: putting out delicious meal after delicious meal.


    The kitchen turns into a cacophony of noise, and before I know it, I’m hardly thinking about the party at


    all. I’m too focused on making good food to think about Karl, the dance, or even Gianna and Ethan.


    “French onion soup,ing up!”


    “Hot pan!”


    “Anton, where’s that steak?”


    As the night wears on, John, Anton, and I work like a well-oiled machine to beat the second wave of


    meal orders. Daisy and the other servers float in and out, and each swing of the kitchen door brings in


    a rush of music from the party, which only reminds me even more of the magical, fleeting moment I


    shared with Karl on the dance floor.


    I focus on chopping vegetables, the rhythmic motion of the knife against the cutting board providing a


    wee distraction from the swirl of emotions brought about by the night’s events.


    Dancing with Karl had stirred up a whirlwind of feelings I thought I had buried deep inside of me, but I


    can’t think too much about it right now.


    Just as I’m lost in thought, Chloe enters the kitchen with a curious nce around, searching for


    something—or someone.


    Her gazends on me, and I instinctively lower my head, pretending to be engrossed in my vegetable


    chopping.


    But she’s as sharp as a tack. She spots me instantly, seeing straight through my act, and storms over


    to me. Taking advantage of the lull in activity, she grabs my arm and pulls me off to the side, her gaze


    piercing.


    “Tell me my eyes deceived me out there earlier,” she whispers, her gaze intense. “Did you dance with


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Karl?”


    I sigh inwardly, knowing that I can''t avoid this conversation any longer. Slowly, I lift my head and meet


    her concerned gaze. “Yes, Chloe,” I admit quietly. “You saw correctly. We danced together.”


    Chloe’s response is immediate and unceremonious; she yfully smacks me on the arm.


    “You’re ying with fire, Abby,” she chides, her expression a mixture of worry and disappointment. “You


    know howplicated things are between you two. And he had a date earlier tonight! He’s a yer.”


    I wince, feeling the sting of her words. It’s not that I don’t understand her concern; she’s watched me go


    through the ups and downs of my rtionship with Karl over the years. But right now, I don’t need the


    scolding.


    “I know, Chloe. But it was just one dance.”


    Chloe shakes her head, her eyes holding a mixture of exasperation and affection. “Abby, I’ve seen this


    before. You can’t deny that there’s still something between you two. But you’re going to get hurt again if


    you’re not careful, and besides; I thought you were going to take a break from the romance scene.”


    I meet her gaze and nod. “I’ll be careful.”


    “Promise?” she asks, holding out her pinky with a concerned look in her eyes.


    For a moment, I hesitate. But then, I nod, intertwining my pinky with hers.


    “I promise.”