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

scanning the article.

was sourcing ingredients for

Every memory of that whole

only the breakup, but the fact that Karl

his head. “But Abby, the point is,

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

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

I’m in. “Fine,” I finally say.

light up, almost as if he’s been waiting for this

number. I can hear the phone ring, then someone

Karl. Listen, I

my chest as I listen to him speak to the

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

same confidence

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

Abby, but even my supplier can’t get them.

market right now.”

hit by an invisible wave of defeat.

on

his phone away and gazes at me,

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

when the odds are against you, you

look at him, then back at the article about black

easy, Karl,” I say, my voice tinged

do.”

room

in anymore.

that has finally burst.

he takes in my sudden emotional collapse. “Abby,

wrong?”

I let

with her; she said

my friends,

heavy in the air. The fact that I

his seat. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll

on my feet too, rushing to stand between him and the