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

the article.

When I was sourcing ingredients for

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

the breakup, but the fact that Karl played a

his head. “But Abby,

If you let me, I can try

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

in. “Fine,”

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

a number. I can hear the phone ring,

says. “It’s Karl. Listen, I need

pounds in my chest as I listen to him speak to the supplier. There’s a hint of urgency

remember all too well. It’s

time, the same confidence that I’ve been

an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at

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

market right now.”

by an invisible wave of defeat. “So

on my own

me, a mixture of emotions

“Abby, I know you have no reason to trust

the odds are against you, you can still

at the article about black

easy, Karl,” I say, my voice tinged with an exhaustion I can no

do.”

we just sit in silence. But the room feels

then, without warning, I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears spill

that has finally burst.

widening as he takes in

wrong?”

I let it all spill out. “It’s Chloe,” I manage to

out. And Leah sided with

lose my friends, Karl.

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

surprise. Karl jumps up from his seat.

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