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

rare, expensive, and the season’s basically

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

When I was sourcing ingredients for

of Adam’s name. Every memory of that whole

the

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

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

stomach. Can

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

if he’s been waiting

phone and dials a number. I can hear

says. “It’s Karl. Listen, I need

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

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

time, the same confidence that I’ve

what feels like an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at me, his eyes filled with a mix of regret

my supplier can’t get them. There are none available

market right now.”

invisible wave of defeat. “So that’s it, then,” I say

really on

me, a

concern. “Abby, I know you have

when the odds are against you, you can still turn

back at the article about black truffles on my screen,

voice tinged with an

do.”

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

without warning, I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears spill down my cheeks like a

that has finally burst.

looks startled, his eyes widening as he takes in my sudden emotional collapse. “Abby,

wrong?”

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

quit, stormed out. And Leah sided with her; she said it’s either

my friends, Karl. I

The fact

from his seat. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll fix

my feet too, rushing