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

his eyes scanning the article. “You

I was sourcing ingredients for

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

only the breakup, but the fact that Karl played a role

know,” he catches himself, shaking his head. “But

ingredients. If you let me,

help churns my stomach. Can I trust him? Should I?

“Fine,” I finally say.

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

I can

Karl. Listen,

listen to him speak to

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

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

Karl hangs up and looks at me, his eyes

Abby, but even my supplier can’t get them. There are none

market right now.”

slump, as if hit by an invisible wave of

“I’m really on

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

know you have

sometimes, even when the odds are against you, you

about black truffles on my screen, then back at

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

do.”

the room

warning, I can’t hold it in anymore.

that has finally burst.

startled, his eyes widening as he

wrong?”

a deep breath before I let

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

my friends,

The fact

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

can take another step, I’m on my feet