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, and

the screen again, his eyes scanning the

I was sourcing

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

not only the breakup, but the fact that Karl played

I know,” he catches himself, shaking his head. “But Abby, the point

let me, I can try to secure these truffles

churns my stomach. Can I trust

in. “Fine,”

he’s been waiting for

can hear the phone ring, then someone

says. “It’s Karl. Listen, I need a

I listen to him speak to the supplier. There’s

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

upon a time, the same confidence that I’ve been trying to protect

feels like an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at me, his eyes filled

supplier can’t get them. There are none available

market right now.”

hit by an invisible wave of

on my

and gazes at me, a mixture of emotions swirling

concern. “Abby, I know you

even when the odds are

about black truffles on my screen, then

I say, my voice tinged with an exhaustion I can no longer hide. “I

do.”

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

it in anymore.

that has finally burst.

as he takes in my sudden emotional collapse.

wrong?”

breath before I let it all spill out.

stormed out. And Leah sided with her; she

my friends, Karl.

heavy in the air. The fact that I let it all

surprise. Karl jumps up from his seat. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll

he can take another step, I’m on my feet too, rushing to stand between him