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

scanning the article. “You

I was sourcing ingredients

at the mention of Adam’s name. Every memory of that whole debacle is a stab to the gut,

only the breakup, but the fact

know,” he catches himself, shaking his head.

let me, I can try to secure these truffles

churns my stomach. Can I trust him?

in. “Fine,” I finally say.

as if he’s been waiting for this tiny chance at redemption. He quickly

I can hear the phone ring, then

Karl. Listen, I

heart pounds in my chest as I listen to him speak to

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

the same confidence that I’ve been trying

like an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at

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

market right now.”

by an invisible wave of defeat. “So

on my own

and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions swirling in

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

when the odds are against

at the article about black truffles on my

easy, Karl,” I say, my voice

do.”

But the room feels like it’s closing in on me with each moment

hold it in anymore.

that has finally burst.

he takes in my

wrong?”

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

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

my friends,

heavy in the air. The fact that

from his seat.

step, I’m on my feet too, rushing