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,

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

When I was

name. Every memory of that whole debacle is a stab

not only the breakup, but the fact that

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

in rare ingredients. If you let me,

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

dire straits I’m in. “Fine,” I

he’s been waiting for this tiny chance

a number. I can hear the phone ring,

Jack,” he says. “It’s Karl. Listen,

as I listen to him speak to the supplier. There’s a hint

confidence that I remember all too

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

up and looks at me, his eyes

my supplier can’t

market right now.”

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

“I’m really on

phone away and gazes at me, a mixture

know you have no reason

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

article about black truffles on

wish it were that easy, Karl,” I say, my voice tinged

do.”

room

I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears spill down my cheeks

that has finally burst.

as he takes in

wrong?”

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

“She quit, stormed out. And Leah sided with her; she said

my friends,

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

surprise. Karl jumps up from his seat.

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