Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 99: Help in Strange Places
Abby

The weight of the world feels like it’s pressing down on my shoulders like a leaden weight, and just

when I think it can’t get any heavier, Karl appears in the doorway of my office.

“Is everything okay, Abby?” he asks, and there’s a genuine concern in his eyes that almost—almost—

makes me want to believe in him again.

I hesitate, my eyes darting to my phone with Chloe’s unsent text. But there’s also a cook-off I need to

win, friendships to mend, and a restaurant to run. “I’m fine,” I lie, although my voice betrays me,

cracking slightly.

“Come on, Abby.” He steps into the room, closing the door behind him. “You and I both know that’s not

true.”

I sigh, shifting my gaze to my computer screen where an article on black truffles glares back at me. I

already promised to myself that I wouldn’t let Karl get closer, and everything in my body is screaming at

me right now to send him away.

But before I can stop him, Karl moves closer, leaning on the edge of my desk. “Look, if you don’t want

to talk about it, fine. But if there’s any way I can help—”

“Help?” I snort, incredulous. “You’ve done enough, don’t you think?”

He winces, stung by the harshness of my words.”Alright, fair point,” he concedes, pausing. “But let’s

not pretend that I’m the only complicated thing in your life right now.”

His eyes flicker to my computer screen, then back to me. “Now, what’s this about black truffles?”

I exhale deeply, a mixture of relief and frustration swirling within me. As much as it pains me to admit it,

he’s right; I’m in desperate need of help. “I need them for a dish I’m working on for the cook-off,” I

rare, expensive,

again, his eyes scanning the article. “You know, I might be

When I was sourcing ingredients for

of that whole debacle

reminder of not only the breakup, but the fact

know,” he catches himself, shaking his head. “But Abby,

specialize in rare ingredients. If you let me, I can try to secure these

churns my stomach. Can I trust him? Should I? But

straits I’m in. “Fine,” I finally say. “Give it a

up, almost as if he’s been waiting for this tiny

can hear the phone ring, then

“It’s Karl. Listen, I need a

to him speak to the supplier.

that I remember all too well.

time, the same confidence that I’ve been trying to protect myself

what feels like an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at me,

“I’m sorry, Abby, but even my supplier can’t get them. There are none available

market right now.”

invisible wave of defeat. “So that’s it, then,” I

on my own with

at me, a mixture of

I know you have no reason to

But sometimes, even when the odds are against you, you

back at the article about black truffles on my screen, then

easy, Karl,” I say, my voice tinged with an

do.”

sit in silence. But the room feels like it’s

then, without warning, I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears spill down

that has finally burst.

his eyes widening as he takes in my sudden emotional collapse.

wrong?”

deep breath before I let it

And Leah sided with her; she said

friends,

the air. The fact that I

from his seat. “I’ll talk

my