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

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

When I was sourcing ingredients

Every memory of that whole debacle is a

the fact that Karl played a

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

If you let me,

help churns my stomach. Can I trust

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

as if he’s been waiting for

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

says. “It’s Karl. Listen,

heart pounds in my chest as I listen to him

a smooth confidence that I remember

same confidence that I’ve been

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

supplier can’t get them. There are none available

market right now.”

invisible wave of defeat. “So

really on

phone away and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions swirling in his eyes—guilt,

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

are against you, you can

at the article about black truffles on my screen, then

were that easy, Karl,” I say, my voice tinged with an exhaustion I can no longer

do.”

silence. But the room feels

warning, I can’t hold it in

that has finally burst.

looks startled, his eyes widening as he takes in my sudden

wrong?”

a deep breath before I 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

my friends, Karl.

in the air. The fact that

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

he can take another step, I’m on my feet too, rushing to