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 my

out a sigh, knowing that this is just

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

though the real fight has only just

I splash some cool water on my face to calm myself, I

still

army of amazing friends behind

to head back out to grab my things

the other room, and I

understand, this is a serious competition. I’ve

afford

voice instantly: Daniel. My ears

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

eavesdrop, but then she says

non-factor. No, seriously, have you seen her socalled ‘restaurant’?

though he’s listening to someone, likely over the

about to pound out of my chest

fangirl with no real experience. You

She’s nothing but a silly little homemaker

her male chefs—one of whom is a

homeless man!”

thick; his words are

a field dominated by men, and being beaten down

but the essence of La Belle Vie, where

background, is part of

so

chefs

please,” Daniel continues, his voice fading.

in the slightest…”

I can hear his shoes

they fade into nothing. Only then do

door knob with shaking hands, letting out a shuddering breath as

out

room, although it’s empty, feels like it’s shrinking. I stand here

and it’s as though I can still hear Daniel’s words bouncing around

head like an

Fangirl. Amateur. Homemaker. Silly.

dropping into my stomach.