Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0160
Abby

The weight of failure feels almost physical, like there’s something sharp and heavy literally lodged in

my chest.

I stare at the computer screen displaying “Truffles Unavailable” in blunt, red letters. I’ve sent countless

emails to suppliers, spent hours scouring online marketplaces, and I’ve even visited local storefronts to

browse their selection, all to no avail.

A part of me wants to give up on the recipe altogether, to throw in the towel and declare the universe

the winner in this sa distic game it’s been playing with me. I could hope that this recipe won’t be chosen,

or at the very least, that I can read enough about it online to get a good idea as to how to make it.

But another part—perhaps the stubborn or perhaps the hopeful part—won’t let me settle for that. What

if this recipe is chosen for the competition? What if the online recipes just don’t do it justice? I need to

be prepared, and this could be my last shot at turning things around.

I close the laptop with a sigh, my eyes drifting to a framed picture of me and Chloe on a past

mushroom hunting trip. It’s not truffles, but maybe, just maybe, I could find something close, something

that’ll at least help me practice the textures and flavors.

…

“Going somewhere?” The voice slices through my thoughts, and I turn around to see Karl standing at

the doorway, his eyes lingering on my hiking boots and backpack. It’s early in the morning, too early for

anyone but me to be here. And yet there’s Karl, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, as my grandmother used

to say.

“That’s none of your business,” I shoot back, my voice carrying a sharper edge than I intended. But

really, the last thing I need right now is more complications, more entanglement with him.

He steps into the room, the door falling shut behind him. “Abby, don’t be like this. I told you that I want

to help.”

that, but I don’t need help,” I interject,

mushroom hunting since I

eyes penetrating, like he’s

truffles around here, you know

to do something, okay?

his voice turning stern, his posture more rigid. “Then let me come

you.”

energy in his eyes, a silent, commanding

been dealing with lately. And in that moment, something

way.

myself

a split second, I see something there, a glint

says, his

alone in my office,

I just agree to

…

boots, each step m

earth.

mist hangs in the early morning air, casting the forest in surreal grays

if something were to

his footsteps softly echoing

scanning the ground for any signs

there.” I point to a cluster near a huge

take

away leaves to reveal the reddish-brown caps. “Definitely not

yes, they are edible.”

this way for a while, discovering various fungi sca

others more muted but no

a mini biology lesson as I

slowly begins to lift.

we went mushroom

breaking a prolonged silence. “You had to stop

a tinge of nostalgia sweeping over me. “You were so excited, you

would have sauteed it right up and ended up in

brief moment, the forest becomes a sanctuary, a place

us, the cool morning air, and nothing else. But then guilt seeps in, muddying the moment.

like this, not when I just lost my two

But then, something happens.

as a distant shout cuts through

between

arm and pulling me