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 article. “You

When I was

name. Every memory of

breakup, but the

himself, shaking his head.

me,

help churns my stomach. Can I

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

been waiting for this

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

says. “It’s Karl. Listen,

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

a smooth confidence that I remember all too well. It’s the same confidence

the same confidence

up and looks at

but even my supplier can’t

market right now.”

as if hit by an invisible wave of

on my own with

and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions swirling

a flicker of genuine concern. “Abby, I know you have no reason to trust me. And

odds are against you, you can still turn things

about black truffles on my

my voice tinged with an

do.”

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

in anymore. Tears spill down my

that has finally burst.

he takes in my

wrong?”

let it all spill out. “It’s Chloe,” I manage to

tremulous. “She quit, stormed out. And Leah sided with her; she said it’s either you or

friends, Karl. I

heavy in the air. The

his seat. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll

my feet too, rushing