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

they’re rare, expensive, and the season’s

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

I was sourcing ingredients for

of Adam’s name. Every memory of that whole

but the fact

he catches himself, shaking his head.

me, I can

my stomach. Can I

straits I’m in. “Fine,”

eyes light up, almost as if he’s been waiting for this tiny chance at

can

Karl. Listen,

pounds in my chest as I listen to him speak

but also a smooth confidence that I remember

time, the same confidence that I’ve been trying

and looks at me, his eyes filled with a mix

but even my supplier can’t get them. There

market right now.”

of defeat. “So

really on my

puts his phone away and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions swirling

even a flicker of genuine concern. “Abby, I know you have no reason

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

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

my voice tinged with an

do.”

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

warning, I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears spill down

that has finally burst.

as he takes in my sudden emotional collapse. “Abby,

wrong?”

obs, taking a deep breath before I let it all spill out. “It’s Chloe,” I manage to say,

And Leah sided with her; she said it’s either you

lose my friends,

own words hangs heavy in the air. The fact that I let it all out like that takes even

from his seat. “I’ll talk to

before he can take another step, I’m on my feet too, rushing to stand between him