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,

screen again, his eyes scanning the article.

was sourcing ingredients for

at the mention of Adam’s name. Every memory of that whole debacle is

the breakup, but the

catches himself, shaking his head. “But Abby, the point is, I have

me, I can try to secure these truffles for

Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can I trust him? Should

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

up, almost as if he’s been waiting for

I can hear the phone ring, then someone

says. “It’s Karl. Listen,

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

I remember all too well. It’s the same

once upon a time, the same confidence that I’ve

and looks at me, his eyes filled

but even my supplier can’t get

market right now.”

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

“I’m really on my own with

puts his phone away and gazes at me,

“Abby, I know you have no reason to trust

when the odds are against you, you can still turn

at him, then back at the article about black truffles on my screen, then back at

say, my voice tinged

do.”

the room

hold it in anymore. Tears spill down my cheeks

that has finally burst.

he takes in my sudden

wrong?”

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

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

lose my friends,

The fact that

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

another step, I’m on my feet too, rushing