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

at the screen again, his eyes scanning the article. “You

When I was sourcing ingredients for

of that whole debacle is a

not only the breakup, but the

I know,” he catches himself, shaking his

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

accepting Karl’s help churns my stomach. Can I

the dire straits I’m in. “Fine,”

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

dials a number. I can hear the phone

Jack,” he says. “It’s Karl. Listen, I need

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

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

upon a time, the same confidence that I’ve

an eternity, Karl hangs up and looks at me, his eyes filled with a

supplier can’t

market right now.”

of defeat. “So that’s it, then,” I say softly,

on

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

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

the odds are against you, you can still

about black truffles on my screen, then back at

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

do.”

But the room feels like

hold it in anymore. Tears spill down my cheeks like

that has finally burst.

widening as he

wrong?”

before I let

stormed out. And Leah sided with her; she said it’s either you or them.

lose my friends, Karl. I

the air. The fact that I let

up from his seat.

before he can take another step, I’m on my feet too, rushing