That elicits a soft chuckle from me. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” Karl hesitates for a moment, as if weighing his words. “Look, about Adam…” I raise a hand, cutting him off. “Let’s not, okay? I appreciate the concern, but I’d rather focus on today. We’ve got a brunch crowd to wow.” His
Abby Just as I’m leaning forward to make sense of the strange spark in the back of the oven, something ignites. I jump back with a yelp just as the heat nearly consumes me. My heart races as the orange flames dance menacingly from the oven, cutting off the symphony of our dinner rush with its
But through it all, the warmth of Karl’s hand is a constant, grounding me. Even in the throes of pain, I can't help but appreciate the intimacy of the moment. Our shared experiences in the kitchen, the dance of dishes and ingredients, have fostered a connection I never anticipated. I feel him glan
Abby The antiseptic smell of the hospital surrounds me, a cold, clinical scent that seems to hang in the air. I glance down at my arm, now wrapped in white gauze, the skin beneath it red and angry. The pain pulses with every heartbeat, but it’s a dull, manageable ache for now. “Abby, you sho
“I’m going with you. If you’re going back to that restaurant, I’m staying by your side.” A smile tugs at my lips. “Deal.” As we leave the hospital, the night air greets us, a stark contrast to the sterile environment inside. The city is alive, lights glittering in the distance, the gentle hu
Abby The door to my office clicks shut, its noise echoing in the room, serving as a final punctuation to Karl’s exit. I watch him go, and the residue of our past, thick with pain and longing, clings to me, making it hard to breathe. A sigh escapes me as I lean back into my chair, the cool leat
… The fading ambient lighting casts long, delicate shadows across the bar, wrapping everything in an almost ethereal, intimate shroud. There’s a sense of stillness, like the world has paused just for me. I sit alone at the sleek mahogany counter, cradling a half-filled glass of white wine, its cri
Abby “Adam… Are you cheating on me?” The anticipation of what Adam is about to say feels like a giant pit in my stomach. He stares down at his hands, his fingers worrying each other in the dim light of the bar. “Abby,” his voice starts with a tremor, “I’m not cheating on you. I would nev