Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Karl

The sizzle of sauteing farro mafaldine fills the air as Abby and I maneuver

around our station like we’ve done this a million times before. I can sense a

newfound glimmer in Abby’s eyes, a hint of something confident and downright

mesmerizing.

“Ken,” Abby’s voice cuts sharply through the noise, using the pseudonym that I

chose earlier today like it’s second nature to her despite the pressure, “start on

the mushrooms. I’ll handle the mafaldine and get the sauce going.”

“On it,” I reply, grabbing a skillet. I drizzle the olive oil into the pan just as I’ve

watched Anton and John do all along, having taken their motions and saved

Enter title…

them in a little recess in the back of my mind, like a sponge soaking up

knowledge.

beat, her hands working with a practiced rhythm

and begins feeding it

me a quick, conspiratorial glance that says we’ve got

we don’t

are golden, Ken,”

perfect.”

adjusting the flame. “On

laugh crackles across our station. “‘Chef,’” she says. “I like when you

me that.”

her hands move over the mafaldine, her attention

soon,” she says. “Can you

up,” I say, although the mushrooms demand

longer. They’re browning nicely, the nutty aroma mixing with the

scent of the saffron.

down the heat and take a step away from the stove,

slung over my shoulder. “I’ll

pantry, I can’t help but feel the

the cusp of victory. Abby is bound to win this, I’m sure of it. The

was a bit of a bust, but lady luck is on our

the pantry swings open,