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

scanning the article. “You know, I

was sourcing ingredients

Adam’s name. Every memory of that whole debacle is

not only the breakup, but the

know, I know,” he catches himself, shaking his head.

ingredients. If you let me, I can try to

thought of accepting Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can I trust him? Should I? But there’s

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

if he’s been waiting

can hear the phone ring, then someone

Jack,” he says. “It’s Karl. Listen,

in my chest as I listen to him speak to the supplier.

but also a smooth confidence that I remember all too well. It’s the same confidence

confidence that I’ve

feels like an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at me, his eyes filled with a mix

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

market right now.”

invisible wave of defeat. “So

“I’m really on

away and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions

flicker of genuine concern. “Abby, I know

even when the odds are against you, you can

article about

my voice tinged with an

do.”

But the room

I can’t hold it in

that has finally burst.

startled, his eyes widening as he takes

wrong?”

obs, taking a deep breath before I let it all spill out.

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

lose my friends, Karl. I

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

his seat.

my feet too, rushing