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

they’re rare, expensive,

scanning the article. “You know, I might be able

I was sourcing ingredients for

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

breakup, but the fact

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

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

accepting Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can I

dire straits I’m in. “Fine,” I

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

number. I can hear the phone

“It’s Karl. Listen, I need a

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

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

time, the same confidence that I’ve been trying

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

“I’m sorry, Abby, but even my supplier can’t get them.

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

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

even a flicker of genuine concern. “Abby, I know you

are against you, you can

at the article about black

Karl,” I say, my voice tinged with an

do.”

in silence. But the room feels like

it in anymore. Tears spill down my cheeks

that has finally burst.

looks startled, his eyes widening as he takes in my sudden emotional collapse. “Abby,

wrong?”

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

with her; she said

lose my friends,

own words hangs heavy in the air. The fact that I let it all out like that takes even

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 and