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 the season’s basically

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

was sourcing ingredients

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

not only the breakup, but the fact that Karl

himself, shaking his head.

you let me, I can try to secure

stomach. Can I

the dire straits I’m in. “Fine,” I finally

almost as if he’s been waiting for

can hear the phone ring,

Jack,” he says. “It’s Karl. Listen,

him speak

I remember all too well. It’s the same confidence that

the same confidence that

Karl hangs up and looks at me, his eyes filled

my supplier can’t

market right now.”

hit by an invisible wave of defeat. “So that’s it,

really on my own

me, a mixture of emotions swirling

of genuine concern. “Abby, I know you have

even when the odds are

article about black truffles on my screen, then back

I say, my voice tinged with an exhaustion I can

do.”

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

warning, I can’t hold it in anymore.

that has finally burst.

as he takes in my sudden emotional collapse.

wrong?”

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

tremulous. “She quit, stormed out. And Leah sided with her; she said it’s either you or

my friends, Karl.

air. The fact that I let it all out like that takes even

surprise. Karl jumps up from his seat. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll fix

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