Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Abby

Applause begins to ripple across the studio audience, but all I see is Karl, sitting

in the back, staring down at me. He’s wearing a blue surgical mask, but I know

it’s him. I can tell by his eyes, by the way that my wolf stirs ever so slightly just

from looking at him.

“Wow, Abby,” Sarah says, drawing me back to the present, back to the interview.

“That was lovely. Your staff must be really grateful to have you.”

I shake my head. “No. I’m lucky to have them.”

“Well, that’s all, folks,” Sarah says, turning back to face the crowd. “Everyone

give a big round of applause for Abby, the owner of La Belle Vie Bistro!”

Enter title…

Another wave of applause washes over the room, smattered with a few cheers.

The cameraman gives me my cue, and I stand, waving as I jog off stage. Once

backstage, the assistant from before gives me a nod and a thumbs-up, then

points for me to head back to the greenroom.

As I head down the hall to the greenroom, I feel like I’m floating on air. So that

was it; that was the interview. I did it!

The greenroom is a modest room, furnished with a couple of sofas, a coffee

table littered with fashion magazines, and a snack bar.

The walls are adorned with photos of previous guests who came on the show,

from famous musicians to local artists. There’s a bathroom in the back, and

feeling like I’ll be sick now from the nerves of it all, I head to the bathroom to

cold water on

the door behind me and let out a sigh, knowing that this is just one step

Tomorrow, I’ll be headed to the cook-off, and

feel as though the

water on my face to

me, but I can still see

of

I’m about to head back out to grab my things when

in the other room, and

a serious competition.

I can’t afford

recognize the voice instantly: Daniel. My ears perk up. Amateurs? In

accomplished chefs, who could she possibly be talking about? I

but then she

seriously, have you seen her socalled ‘restaurant’? What

listening to someone,

feels like it’s about to pound

a fangirl with

but a silly little homemaker who can

of her male chefs—one of whom is

homeless man!”

the room gets thick; his words are a punch to the

in a field dominated by men, and being

just me, but the

their background, is part

as he so insensitively put it, is

chefs

please,” Daniel continues, his voice fading.

in the slightest…”

Daniel’s voice fades away. I

then they fade into nothing. Only then do

shaking hands, letting out a shuddering breath as

step out of

room, although it’s empty, feels like

can still hear Daniel’s

head like an awful,

Fangirl. Amateur. Homemaker. Silly.

it’s dropping into my