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

expensive, and the season’s basically

at the screen again, his eyes scanning the

was sourcing ingredients for

flinch at the mention of Adam’s name. Every memory of that whole debacle is a stab

the breakup, but the fact that Karl played a role in

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

me, I can try to secure these

stomach.

I’m in. “Fine,”

as if he’s been waiting for this tiny chance at redemption. He

dials a number. I can hear

Karl. Listen,

I listen to him speak to the supplier. There’s a hint

confidence that I remember all

the same confidence

an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at me, his eyes filled

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

market right now.”

as if hit by an invisible wave of defeat.

on my

and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions

concern. “Abby, I know you have no reason to trust

when the odds are against you, you

then back at the article about black truffles on my

that easy, Karl,” I say, my voice tinged with an exhaustion I can

do.”

room feels like it’s closing in on me with

it in anymore. Tears

that has finally burst.

he takes in my sudden emotional

wrong?”

s obs, taking a deep breath before I let it all spill out. “It’s

stormed out. And Leah sided with her; she said it’s either you or them. And

friends, Karl. I

of my own words hangs heavy in the air. The fact that I let it all out

up from his seat.

my feet too,