Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0159
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

again, his eyes scanning the article. “You

was

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

of not only the breakup, but the fact

shaking his head. “But Abby, the point is, I

me, I can

churns my stomach.

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

waiting for this tiny chance

can hear

says. “It’s Karl. Listen, I need

I listen to him speak to the supplier. There’s

remember all too well. It’s

same confidence that I’ve been trying

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

my supplier can’t get them. There are

market right now.”

shoulders slump, as if hit by an invisible wave of defeat. “So that’s it, then,” I say softly,

“I’m really on

his phone away and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions swirling in his eyes—guilt,

“Abby, I know you have no reason

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

article about black truffles on

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

do.”

silence. But the room feels

warning, I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears spill down my cheeks like a

that has finally burst.

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

wrong?”

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

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

friends,

heavy in the air. The fact that I let it

up from his seat.

on my feet too, rushing to stand between him and