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,

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

was sourcing ingredients

of that whole debacle is a stab

reminder of not only the breakup, but the fact

catches himself, shaking his head. “But

rare ingredients. If you let me, I can

thought of accepting Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can I trust him? Should I? But

the dire straits I’m in. “Fine,”

as if he’s been waiting for this tiny

phone and dials a number. I can

“It’s Karl. Listen, I need

to him speak to the supplier. There’s

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

the same confidence

eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at me, his eyes

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

market right now.”

if hit by an invisible wave of defeat. “So that’s it, then,” I say softly,

really on my own

gazes at me, a

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

odds are against you, you can

then back at the article about black truffles on my

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

do.”

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

it in anymore. Tears spill down my cheeks like a

that has finally burst.

eyes widening as he takes in

wrong?”

between so bs, taking a deep breath before I let it all spill out. “It’s Chloe,” I manage to say,

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

lose my friends, Karl.

air. The

his seat. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll

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