Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Abby

“I support you. I support you all the way, Abby.”

Leah's unexpected support leaves me feeling both shocked and relieved. Her willingness to stand by my side and accept this unconventional arrangement fills me with gratitude, especially after the tension that hung heavily in the room moments ago.

Tears begin to well up in my eyes, causing the forms in front of me to blur slightly. But I don't bother blinking them away.

Chloe, however, remains silent despite Leah's vocal support. Her face is a deep shade of red, and she’s staring down at her lap, clearly struggling to grapple with the information we've just shared with her.

"Well?" Leah asks, turning to Chloe. “What do you think, Chlo?”

But Chloe doesn't answer right away. She's still silently fuming, her eyes darting back and forth. I can practically hear the gears turning in her head from where I'm currently standing.

“Leah,” I murmur, “what made you want to support us? I know it's crazy, and I hope you know you're not obligated to agree with this scheme.”

Leah's eyes meet mine, and her response is unwavering. “Abby, you're my friend," she says gently and earnestly. “I trust your judgment, and if you believe this is the right path, then who am I to judge? As your friend, it's important for me to be there for you, not at odds with you, you know?” A warmth spreads through me at her words, and I can't help but close the distance between us, enveloping Leah in a tight hug. “Thank you, Leah,” I whisper gratefully. “Your support means the world to me."

Leah smiles, rubbing my back, and pulls away after a few moments. “What kind of a friend would I be if I didn't trust you?” she asks, glancing over at Chloe. It's a warning glance, as if she’s silently telling Chloe to put her reservations aside and stand with her friends. “That's what friends are for, after all.”

Now, only Chloe remains, and her silence is a stark contrast to Leah's willing acceptance. Her anger is palpable, and I can sense the storm brewing inside of her.

Part of me wonders if I'll potentially lose a friend today, after months of tension between the two of us. Hell, I almost lost her barely more than a month ago, when she stormed out of the restaurant. I had thought we had all made up, that we were on the same page, but it feels as though Chloe is as distrusting as ever.

I can’t blame her entirely, but it's also difficult to see her reasoning right now. And if she really does refuse to be supportive, then I'm not sure how much more of this I could possibly handle.

Of course it would hurt to lose her, but so would losing my restaurant, losing my livelihood, or being infertile forever. If I have to make a choice, then I'll need to really consider everything here.

I just hope that the choice won't need to be made.

Finally, she breaks her silence, her voice seething with frustration.

“Karl, you've only ever broken Abby's heart,” she begins, her tone low and accusing. “How can you expect us to believe that this won't end in disaster? And how in the hell does this fake relationship benefit both of you?”

I open my mouth to respond, but Karl doesn't waver in the slightest in the face of Chloe's anger. Instead, he meets her gaze squarely, ready to address her concerns head-on. It's surprising, honestly; back when we were married, Karl would be having a shouting match with Chloe by now. But instead, his tone is measured and calm, even understanding.

“Chloe,” he starts, “I understand your hesitation, but let me explain.”

Chloe throws her hands up in exasperation before leaning back in her chair and folding her arms across her chest. “Explain away.”