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

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

was sourcing ingredients for

of Adam’s name. Every memory of that

the fact that

I know,” he catches himself, shaking his head. “But Abby, the point is, I have

who specialize in rare ingredients. If you let me,

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

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

waiting for this tiny chance at redemption.

phone and dials a number. I can hear the phone

Karl. Listen, I need a

to him speak to the supplier. There’s a hint

remember all too well. It’s the

time, the same confidence that I’ve been trying to

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

sorry, Abby, but even my supplier can’t get them. There are

market right now.”

hit by an invisible wave of

“I’m really on

and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions swirling in

“Abby, I know you have no

when the odds are against you, you can still turn things

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

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

do.”

room feels like it’s

And then, without warning, I can’t hold it in

that has finally burst.

looks startled, his eyes widening as he

wrong?”

a deep breath before I let it all

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

friends,

my own words hangs heavy in the air. The fact that I

jumps up from his seat. “I’ll talk to

my feet too, rushing to stand between him and the