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

they’re rare, expensive, and the

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

was sourcing ingredients

memory of that whole

not only the breakup, but the fact that

know,” he catches himself, shaking his head. “But Abby, the

specialize in rare ingredients. If you let me, I

thought of accepting Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can I trust

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

waiting for this tiny chance at redemption. He quickly

a number. I can hear

“It’s Karl. Listen, I

my chest as I listen to him speak

but also a smooth confidence that I remember all too

confidence that I’ve been trying to

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

can’t get them. There are none

market right now.”

of defeat. “So that’s

really on my own with

his phone away and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions

genuine concern. “Abby, I know you have no reason to

sometimes, even when the odds are against

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

I say, my voice tinged with

do.”

silence. But the room feels like it’s closing in on

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

that has finally burst.

eyes widening as he takes in

wrong?”

bs, taking a deep breath before I let it all spill out.

Leah sided with her;

lose my friends, Karl.

words hangs heavy in the air. The fact that I

his seat. “I’ll talk to

my feet too, rushing to stand between him and