#Chapter 73: A Feeling

Abby My hand freezes on the spreadsheet I’m working on when I hear a knock on my door. A soft, hesitant one that’s almost drowned out by the evening chatter of the restaurant. My heart instantly jumps to my throat. Is it Karl? Has he decided to make another appearance? But when I open the door, it’s Chloe standing there, her eyes hesitant but earnest. We’ve kept our distance today, partially because of the insane lunch and dinner rush, but I think also partially to cool off. I’m not sure if Karl’s conversation with her was successful, but the knot in my chest loosens when I see her. “Hey,” I manage to say. “Hey,” she replies softly. Neither of us says anything for a moment. The silence is thick, full of the words we’d both hurled at each other this morning. Finally, she breaks it. “Can I come in?” “Of course.” I step aside, letting her enter. The door clicks shut behind her, sealing us into this tiny bubble of a moment. I feel her arms