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LUNA: I am! What’s up?

My phone rings, and I answer with a chuckle. “That was fast.”

“I have news and I needed to tell someone.”

“Oh, do tell.”

“So, I don’t know if you know this, but I was an extra on Dusty Peaks a million years ago.”

“I think you mentioned it.”

“Well, when they green lit the reboot, and I found out Lacy was going to revive her character, I kept joking with her that I want to be an extra again. She’s been dating one of the directors and said she would make it happen. Well, she just called me and they want me to read for a tiny but recurring role!”

“Oh, my God!” I squeal. “Yay! I’m so happy for you.”

“Well, I didn’t get it yet, but Lacy said not to worry. She thinks I’m a shoo-in. Though that’s not usually a thing in Hollywood.”

“What does that mean?” I ask suddenly. “Are you moving to Atlanta?”

“No, no, nothing like that. I’ll fly back and forth when they need me. It’s the barista at the local coffee shop so there will be a lot of repetitive lines like, ‘good morning, Joe, your usual?’ And they’ll probably film a few at a time so they can use them as needed.”

“That’s really cool,” I say with genuine excitement. “What does Grim say?”

“He’s happy, of course, though I think it makes him a little nervous. Me being in the spotlight, so to speak.”

“Why nervous?”

“You know how these guys are—overprotective and bossy. And with me being kidnapped and all that, he’s probably more protective than normal.”

“Yeah, overprotective and bossy is kind of hot, if I do say so myself.”

“I knew you’d understand.” She laughs. “I figured Grim and Rage are cut from the same cloth.”

I pause. “If I tell you something, can you keep it between us? It really has nothing to do with the guys.”

“Of course. Girlfriend talk is sacred.”

“I’m worried that I’m having some…mental health issues.”

“What does that mean?”

Slowly, I spell it all out.

The knocks on the door.

The packages.

My bank account and credit cards being hacked.

The lack of concrete evidence that anything beyond bad luck is going on.

“Do you think this constant worry is related to the PMOS?”

“It could be. It doesn’t cause mental health issues, but women with the disease are three to eight times more likely to develop anxiety and depression. Hormone imbalances can impact mood and brain function. In addition, insulin resistance, which I definitely have, can lead to metabolic issues and inflammation, which are known to play a role in mental health as well.”

“Why is this a secret?” she asks carefully. “Wouldn’t you want to talk with Elliott about this? Isn’t that what being in a relationship is?”

“I feel…foolish,” I admit. “When I talked to him about it before, he was kind, and he basically said that he would have a chat with Roger if I needed him to, but it made me feel like I can’t handle my own life. My own issues. Like, I have a boyfriend now, so I’m nothing but a helpless little woman.”