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

a sigh, knowing that this

process. Tomorrow, I’ll be headed to the cook-off, and that will be

I feel as though the real fight has only

splash some cool water on my face to

makeup still jars me, but I can still see

with an army of amazing friends behind

a few moments, I’m about to head back out

hear a voice in the other room, and

this is a serious competition. I’ve

I can’t afford to

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

who could she possibly be talking about? I

to eavesdrop, but then she says

Abby? She’s a complete non-factor. No, seriously, have you seen her

a pause, as though he’s listening to someone, likely over

feels like it’s about to pound out of my

but a fangirl with no real experience. You

silly little homemaker who can barely cook

her male chefs—one of whom

homeless man!”

the room gets thick; his

by men, and

but the essence of La Belle Vie,

background, is part of a

as he so insensitively put it, is one

gifted chefs

please,” Daniel continues, his voice fading. “I’m not

in the slightest…”

voice fades away. I can

then they fade into nothing. Only then

with shaking hands, letting out

out of the

like it’s shrinking. I

though I can still hear

head like an awful,

Fangirl. Amateur. Homemaker. Silly.

feels like it’s dropping into my stomach. How can