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

“But they’re rare, expensive, and the season’s

the article. “You know, I might

I was sourcing

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

only the breakup, but the fact that Karl played a

his head. “But Abby, the point is,

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

accepting Karl’s help churns my stomach.

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

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

can hear

says. “It’s Karl. Listen,

to him speak to the supplier. There’s a hint

remember all too well.

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

hangs up and looks at me, his

“I’m sorry, Abby, but even my supplier can’t get them. There are none

market right now.”

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

really on my own with

his phone away and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions

genuine concern. “Abby, I know you

the odds are against you, you can still turn

then back at the article about black truffles

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

do.”

we just sit in silence. But the room feels

without warning, I can’t hold it in

that has finally burst.

startled, his eyes widening as he takes in

wrong?”

let it all spill out.

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

friends, Karl.

weight of my own words hangs heavy in the air. The fact that I let it all out like

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

my feet too, rushing to stand between him and the