Abby

“Should we head back to the table?”

Karl nods his head toward the table where Gianna and Ethan are still sitting. I follow his gaze, taking a moment to watch as Gianna leans over and whispers something into Ethan's ear. I don't want to go back, but I know it's the polite thing to do.

“Sure,” I respond with a nod of my head.

However, just as we're about to head back, there's a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Daisy standing there.

“I'm sorry to interrupt,” she says, “but you're needed back in the kitchen. Another rush is coming in.” "Okay, Daisy,” I reply with a stiff smile. “Thanks for letting me know. I'll be back soon.”

Daisy gives me a nod and scurries away, but not before her eyes flicker back and forth between Karl and me for a moment, a conspiratorial look in her gaze.

Once Karl and I are alone again, we stand there for a moment in silence.

I meet Karl's eyes, a silent apology. I wish I could stay, but I never intended to attend the party all night, and my staff needs me now. I've already spent nearly two hours at the party, and the attendance has only gone up since I've been out here.

"Go," he murmurs with a nod of his head, as though reading my conflicted thoughts. “It was nice seeing you.”

“It was... nice seeing you too,” I reply, my voice soft.

For a moment, we just stand there under the colorful lights of the party. The music swells, the lively chatter of the other guests feels deafening, and yet at the same time it feels as if we're the only two people in the room.

I want to tell Karl that I'd like one more dance, that I'm sorry we couldn't spend more time together tonight. I want to tell him to stay after the party.

But at the same time, I know that we can't. We shouldn't. He has to return to his pack, and I have to stay here and run my restaurant. Whatever magic transpired between us tonight may or may not have a future now. But it was nice while it lasted.

Without another word, because I know I'll get too emotional, I turn on my heel and walk away.

I feel a pang of sadness as I scurry away, wishing we could have at least had more time together tonight. But it's time to get back into a professional headspace and put it behind me.

I hurry back to my office, where I quickly change back into my chef's whites, put my hair back into a neat bun, and remove my makeup. It feels bittersweet as I hang my dress carefully back up on the door, and I pause for a moment, touching the soft fabric as the events of the night wash over me. But there isn't any time left to dwell on it. First and foremost, I am the owner of this restaurant, and I have a party to cater.

As I push back into the kitchen, John and Anton look up from behind the line.

“There she is,” John says, sounding relieved. “We've got a second rush here. It's getting a bit crazy.” I nod, scurrying over to my station. “Sorry to abandon you earlier.”

"Don’t worry about it, Abby,” Anton reassures me with a cheeky grin. “Did you enjoy your last dance?”

Anton's words make my face flush red, but I can't help but smile as I get to work chopping vegetables and prepping for the next wave of orders. The dance with Karl was short-lived, and I don't even know if I'll see him again tonight—but it was sweet.

“It was... nice,” I reply, averting my gaze. “Really.”

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