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

scanning the article. “You

I was sourcing

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

but the fact that Karl played a role in

he catches himself, shaking his head.

specialize in rare ingredients. If you let me, I can

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

in. “Fine,” I finally say.

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

number. I can hear the

“It’s Karl. Listen, I

pounds in my chest as I listen to him

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

same confidence that I’ve

and looks at me, his eyes filled with a mix of regret

can’t get them. There are none

market right now.”

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

“I’m really on my own with

puts his phone away and gazes at me, a mixture

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

But sometimes, even when the odds are against you, you can still turn

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

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

do.”

the room

hold it in anymore. Tears spill down

that has finally burst.

startled, his eyes widening as he takes in

wrong?”

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

with her;

my friends, Karl. I

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

seat. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll fix

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