Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 60: Harmony
I’m standing over a steaming pot of ragù, stirring as I listen to the sizzle and pop of ingredients melding

together in culinary harmony.

The kitchen is a whirlwind of activity, the dinner rush in full swing. But amidst the orchestrated chaos, a

discordant note strikes my ears. It’s John, my head chef, talking to another member of the kitchen staff.

“The guy just can’t get it together,” John grumbles. “It’s like he’s deficient or something. Honestly, why

Abby even hired him of all people is beyond me.”

I immediately recognize that he’s talking about Karl. I would normally be bothered by this sort of talk to

people’s faces, but today is Karl’s day off, which makes the conversation even more inappropriate.

And despite what I think about Karl, it’s not cool to be talking behind a coworker’s back. Especially not

in my kitchen, where I value respect.

“I swear,” John continues, oblivious to the fact that I can hear him, “he’s a downright jackass. And he

can’t follow directions to save his life. Hell, my kid was watching that one movie the other night, what’s

it called… Alice in Wonderland. He reminds me of Tweedledee. Now all we need is a Tweedledum.”

John bursts out into laughter, clearly amused by his own jokes. No one else laughs; maybe because

they’ve realized that I’m right here, listening to every word.

I’m well aware that Karl is still new to the restaurant business, still trying to acclimate to the hierarchy

and flow of the kitchen. But we all started somewhere, and the last thing he—or any of us—needs is a

colleague undermining him behind his back.

With a sigh, I delegate the sauce to someone else and wipe my hands on a kitchen towel.

“John, could you come into my office for a moment?”

His face pales a fraction, as if he knows he’s been caught. “Erm… Sure, Abby,” he responds, his voice

edged with trepidation.

Once we’re behind the closed door of my office, I sink into my chair. I watch John as he hesitates,

clearly uncomfortable, before taking the seat across from me.

issue with Karl?” I cut straight to

fingers through his hair. “Look, Abby, he makes a lot of mistakes. He’s s

get downright belligerent when anyone tries

my arms over my chest, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment. John isn’t wrong;

firsthand. Hell, I’ve lived it. Karl is an Alpha, and there’s no doubt about it. But

he should be badmouthed when he’s not even around to defend

been with this restaurant since we opened,” I say

they’re not here to defend themselves. That’s

this establishment.”

seems to flinch at my words. “I

better not,” I reply, my voice firm. “I don’t want you making a bad

where it’s a

else.

it, Abby. I do. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.

something about Karl. He’s not exactly ‘respectful’,

wondering how to broach the

sort out any issues you have with Karl when he’s present. Is that

replies, his voice tinged with

go,” I say, gesturing to the door. He nods, stands up, and exits my office, leaving

alone with my thoughts.

back in my chair, my mind racing. The atmosphere in the restaurant, especially the

a finely tuned instrument.

the dishwasher to the head

can disrupt the entire composition, and right now,

dissonance.

appreciate the way he’s expressed them. Karl is

to fit into our tightly knit

learn, two qualities that can’t always be

the desk, a heavy sigh escaping

Deciding I need a break

walk out into the bustling

dishes serves as a

my way through the maze of tables

As always, he seems to

effortless.

got a minute?” I

course, boss lady. What’s up?” he replies, looking

gesturing toward the

end of the

a

silverware, I can’t help but feel a bit more grounded. There’s something

action, a contrast to the complicated