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

some cold water

and let out a sigh, knowing that

to the cook-off, and that will be an

I feel as though the real fight has only just

face to calm myself, I look up

me, but I can still see myself: just Abby,

of amazing

few moments, I’m about to head back out to grab my things

the other room,

is a serious competition.

and I can’t afford

My ears perk

who could she possibly be talking about?

but then she says

She’s a complete non-factor. No, seriously, have you seen her socalled ‘restaurant’? What a

he’s listening to someone, likely over the

to pound out of my chest as she

with no real experience. You

She’s nothing but a silly little homemaker who

her

homeless man!”

air in the room gets thick; his

a field dominated by men, and being beaten

me, but the essence

of their background, is part

he so insensitively put it, is

gifted chefs I’ve

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

in the slightest…”

I can hear his shoes clicking on

nothing. Only then do I finally turn

knob with shaking hands, letting out a shuddering breath

step out of

feels like it’s shrinking. I stand

as though I can still hear Daniel’s words bouncing

like an awful, haunting

Fangirl. Amateur. Homemaker. Silly.

like it’s dropping into my stomach. How can a fellow chef