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

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

When I was

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

only the breakup, but the

he catches himself, shaking his head. “But Abby, the

who specialize in rare ingredients. If you let me, I can

my stomach. Can I

the dire straits I’m in. “Fine,”

eyes light up, almost as if he’s been waiting for this tiny

can hear the phone ring, then someone picks

he says. “It’s Karl. Listen, I need a

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

but also a smooth confidence that I remember

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

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

can’t get

market right now.”

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

really on my own with

phone away and gazes at me, a mixture of

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

are against you, you

the article about

I say, my voice tinged with an exhaustion I can no

do.”

silence. But the room feels like it’s

And then, without warning, I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears

that has finally burst.

looks startled, his eyes widening as he takes in my

wrong?”

let it all spill out. “It’s

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

my friends, Karl. I

in the air. The fact that I let it

his seat. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll

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