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

expensive, and the season’s basically

his eyes scanning the article. “You know,

was sourcing ingredients

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

of not only the breakup, but the fact that

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

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

my stomach. Can I trust him?

dire straits I’m in. “Fine,” I

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

phone and dials a number. I can hear the phone

“It’s Karl. Listen, I need

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

I remember

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

and looks at me, his eyes filled

can’t get them.

market right now.”

hit by an invisible wave of defeat. “So that’s it, then,”

“I’m really on

away and gazes at me, a mixture

I know you have

the odds are against you, you can

back at the article about black truffles on my screen, then back at him

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

do.”

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

I can’t hold it in anymore. Tears spill

that has finally burst.

widening as he takes

wrong?”

breath before I let it all spill out. “It’s Chloe,” I manage to say,

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

friends,

weight of my own words hangs heavy in the air. The fact that I let

up from his seat.

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