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, and the season’s basically

at the screen again, his eyes scanning the

When I was sourcing ingredients

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

reminder of not only the breakup, but the fact that Karl played a role

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

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

stomach. Can I

“Fine,” I finally say. “Give it

eyes light up, almost as if he’s been waiting for this tiny chance at redemption.

can hear the

“It’s Karl. Listen,

as I listen to him speak

also a smooth confidence that I remember all too well.

the same confidence that I’ve been trying to protect myself

and looks at me, his eyes filled with a

even my supplier can’t get them. There are none available

market right now.”

an invisible wave of defeat. “So that’s

really on

me, a mixture of emotions swirling in his

know you have

are against you, you can still turn

then back at the article about black truffles

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 in on me with each moment

can’t hold it in anymore. Tears spill down

that has finally burst.

eyes widening as he takes in my sudden emotional

wrong?”

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

Leah sided with

friends, Karl. I

the air. The fact that I let it all out like that takes

seat. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll

I’m on my feet too,