Abby After we shake on our new agreement, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. It feels as if a weight has been lifted off of my chest, and I can finally breathe a little easier; all thanks to a promise to keep things casual and take it slow for now. I look at Karl and smile, gr
Abby I’m in the middle of dressing in a rush to go and meet Mr. Thompson and the health inspector at the restaurant. My hands are trembling as I try to button up my shirt, and I’m cursing under my breath when I hear the shower turn off in the other room. A few moments later, Karl steps out i
Abby As I approach Mr. Thompson and the health inspector, I slip off my hood and my blue surgical mask, sticking the mask in my pocket. I’m sure I look like a wreck at the moment, but that’s not at the forefront of my mind right now. “Morning, Abby,” Mr. Thompson says, his eyes filled with a
Abby Once the health inspector has his samples, I see him and Mr. Thompson off at the door. Mr. Thompson gives me that disappointed look of his again, and it makes my heart sink even further than it already has. “The tests should come back from the lab within a week,” the health inspector, M
I decide to stop at my usual local cafe for a cup of coffee, hoping that it will help calm my frayed nerves. But as I step inside, I’m greeted by a familiar sight on the cafe’s television screen. A news channel is broadcasting a report about the Alpha gathering disaster, and my face is front and
Abby Today has been a whirlwind of frustration and disappointment. After the health inspector shut down my restaurant and the news media turned against me, I know I have to do something. I can’t just sit around and let my reputation crumble without a fight. So, I decide to take matters i
“Mr. Caldwell,” I say, trying to keep my tone polite, “I need a favor.” He turns to me, his expression one of mild annoyance. “Abby,” he says, “I’m in the middle of something important. Can this wait?” I take a deep breath and decide to push. “It’s about the CCTV footage from your security c
Karl I make my way back to the pack territory, leaving Abby behind in the city. It’s not an easy decision, but it’s what she wants. Besides, like she said, the pack needs my attention. I’ve only been home for a day, but I’ve been lost in pack matters the entire time. I feel bad that I ca
Abby Intrigued, I let Karl take my hand and lead me discreetly away from the reception, weaving through the tables and out a back door into the gardens. A mischievous grin plays on his lips as we giggle like teenagers, ducking behind hedges and scurrying across the lush green lawns. “Where are w
As the music shifts to a slow ballad, I feel a familiar pair of strong arms circle my waist from behind. “There’s my beautiful wife,” Karl’s deep voice rumbles in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He spins me around to face him, our bodies swaying in time to the soft music. I gaze up at him
Abby The reception hall is cast in a warm, romantic glow, with twinkling lights and the warm flickering of candles on every table. Soft music plays as Karl and I make our entrance, hand-in-hand to raucous applause and cheers from our guests. I can’t stop smiling as we wave to our loved ones gather
Abby The afternoon sun streaming in through the tall windows of the chapel casts the stones in a warm golden light, giving everything a sort of ethereal energy. I stand in the hallway, my arm linked with Anton’s, as the wedding coordinator prepares everyone to walk down the aisle. “Are you ready
Abby As I sit in front of the vanity mirror with the hair and makeup artist circling around me, I meet my friends’ gazes in the reflection; Chloe, Leah, Daisy, and even Elsie are here as my bridesmaids, each of them looking more beautiful than the last. “The seamstress really did do a great job
Abby With a gasp of excitement, I pull the wedding gown out of its box and hold it up in the light. Everything is perfect; the way the beadwork catches the light, the silky texture, the shape. I can’t wait to try it on now that it’s been altered to fit my body. Quickly, I slip out of my clothe
Abby “Abby, why don’t you sit down?” Karl looks up at me from where he’s sitting on the sofa, a look of concern on his face. He pats the spot next to him, but I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say, continuing to pace back and forth in our living room. “I won’t sit down until I hear back about that
Abby As I chop, stir, melt, and saute, the others stand around me, watching intently. The pasta simmers on the stove, the air smelling like warm butter and spices. It’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But my focus isn’t on the rumbling in my belly, nor is it even on the lingering pain in my
As we continue searching, I keep thinking back on our last harrowing hunt for black truffles; those poachers nearly shot us. Even now, I can still remember the sound of the bullets whizzing past my head, and the thuds they made when they careened into trees. “We got really lucky,” I say. “If we ha