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

“But they’re rare, expensive, and

glances at the screen again, his eyes scanning the article. “You know, I might be able to

I was sourcing ingredients for

of Adam’s name. Every memory of that whole debacle is a stab to the gut,

the fact that

he catches himself, shaking his

If you let me, I can try

Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can I trust him? Should I?

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

if he’s been waiting for

I can hear the phone ring, then someone picks

Jack,” he says. “It’s Karl. Listen, I need

I listen to him speak to

I remember all too well. It’s

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

an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks

can’t get them.

market right now.”

hit by an invisible wave of defeat.

on my own with

at me, a mixture of emotions swirling in his eyes—guilt,

concern. “Abby, I know you have no reason

even when the odds are against you,

about black truffles

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

do.”

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

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

that has finally burst.

he takes in my sudden emotional collapse. “Abby,

wrong?”

obs, taking a deep breath before I let it

“She quit, stormed out. And Leah sided with

friends,

hangs heavy in the air. The fact that I let it

up from his seat. “I’ll

take another step, I’m on my feet too, rushing to stand