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

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

When I was sourcing

of Adam’s name. Every memory of that whole debacle is

but the fact that Karl

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

let me, I can try to secure these truffles

Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can I trust him?

straits I’m in. “Fine,” I finally say. “Give it

almost as if he’s been waiting for this tiny chance at

I can hear the phone ring, then

“It’s Karl. Listen,

my chest as I listen to him speak to the supplier. There’s a hint of urgency

that I remember all too well. It’s

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

like an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks

sorry, Abby, but even my supplier can’t get

market right now.”

shoulders slump, as if hit by an invisible wave of defeat. “So that’s it, then,” I say softly,

“I’m really on my own

his phone away and gazes at me,

genuine concern. “Abby, I know you have no reason to

when the odds are against

article about black truffles on my screen, then back

it were that easy, Karl,” I say, my voice tinged with an exhaustion I

do.”

just sit in silence. But the room feels like it’s closing in on me with each

then, without warning, I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears spill down my

that has finally burst.

as he

wrong?”

bs, taking a deep breath before I let it

sided with her; she

friends, Karl. I

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

from his seat. “I’ll talk to

step, I’m on my feet too, rushing to stand between him