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

expensive, and

again, his eyes scanning the article. “You know,

was

mention of Adam’s name. Every memory of that whole debacle is a stab to

the breakup, but the fact that

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

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

Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can I trust

I’m in. “Fine,” I finally say.

he’s been waiting

and dials a number. I can hear the

he says. “It’s Karl. Listen, I need

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

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

confidence that I’ve been

looks at me, his eyes filled with

my supplier can’t get

market right now.”

hit by an invisible wave of defeat.

on

me, a mixture of

“Abby, I know

odds are against

back at the article about black truffles on

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

do.”

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

it in anymore. Tears spill

that has finally burst.

widening as he takes in my

wrong?”

taking a deep breath before I let it all

out. And Leah sided with

friends,

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

jumps up from his seat. “I’ll talk to her.

I’m on my feet too, rushing to stand between him and