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 season’s basically

at the screen again, his eyes scanning the article. “You know, I might be

was sourcing

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

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

catches himself, shaking his head. “But Abby,

in rare ingredients. If you let me, I

accepting Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can

“Fine,” I finally say. “Give it a

almost as if he’s been waiting for this

can hear the phone ring, then someone

“It’s Karl. Listen,

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

that I remember all too well. It’s

the same confidence that I’ve been

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

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

market right now.”

as if hit by an invisible wave of defeat. “So that’s it,

really on my

away and gazes at me, a mixture

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

are

at the article about black truffles on

that easy, Karl,” I say, my voice tinged with an exhaustion I can no longer

do.”

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

in anymore. Tears spill down my cheeks like a

that has finally burst.

looks startled, his eyes widening as he takes in my sudden emotional

wrong?”

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

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

my friends, Karl.

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

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

on my