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

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

I was sourcing ingredients for

mention of Adam’s name. Every memory of

only the breakup, but the fact

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

rare ingredients. If you let me, I can try to secure

help churns my stomach. Can

in. “Fine,” I finally

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

a number. I can hear the phone ring, then someone

Jack,” he says. “It’s Karl. Listen,

to him speak

but also a smooth confidence that I remember all too well. It’s

upon a time, the same confidence that I’ve been

feels like an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at me, his eyes

can’t get them. There are

market right now.”

of defeat.

really on my own with

me, a mixture of emotions swirling

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

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

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

I say, my voice tinged with

do.”

a while, we just sit in silence. But the room feels like it’s closing in

hold it in anymore. Tears spill down my cheeks like

that has finally burst.

he takes in

wrong?”

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

with her; she

friends,

The fact

from his seat.

on my feet too, rushing