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.

a beat, her hands working

dough and

She shoots me a quick, conspiratorial glance that says we’ve

as we don’t have

mushrooms are golden, Ken,” she says. “They need

perfect.”

the flame.

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

me that.”

move over the mafaldine, her attention back on

the truffles soon,” she says. “Can you

I say, although the mushrooms demand my

the nutty aroma mixing

scent of the saffron.

down the heat and take a step away

on the towel that’s slung over my shoulder. “I’ll grab the truffles

I make my way to the pantry, I can’t

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

bust, but lady luck is on our side

then, the door to the pantry swings open,