Abby
I’m still standing, frozen, just inside the threshold of the kitchen. The air is silent as John and Anton suddenly halt their cooking, their eyes meeting each other for a moment before they slide over to me.
“Abby?” John’s voice is somewhat incredulous, seeing as how I haven’t set foot in here for the past three weeks. “Did you need something?”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I face John and Anton, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. “I’m just... checking in,” I manage to say, but even to my own ears, the words sound like a lie.
Anton leans back against the prep station and wipes his hands on the towel that’s slung over his shoulder. “Checking in?” He arches an eyebrow as a smirk plays on his lips. “Is that really it?”
John nods in agreement wit
