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.

what’s the issue with Karl?” I cut straight to the chase, my eyes meeting his

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

belligerent when anyone tries to correct

fold my arms over my chest, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

it. Karl is an Alpha, and there’s

he should be badmouthed when he’s not even

you’ve been with this restaurant since we opened,” I say gently.

to defend

this establishment.”

at my words. “I understand that, Abby. It won’t happen

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

This isn’t one of those restaurants where it’s a free-for-all. Everyone needs to be

everyone else. Got

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

something about Karl. He’s not

a sigh, already wondering how to

you have with Karl when he’s present.

John replies, his voice

you can go,” I say, gesturing to the door. He nods,

alone with my thoughts.

racing. The atmosphere

a finely tuned instrument.

from the dishwasher to the head chef, plays an

right now, we’re on the cusp of some

dissonance.

concerns, even if I don’t appreciate the

the culinary arts, and struggling to fit into our tightly knit team. But he’s

willing to learn, two qualities that

sigh escaping my lips. The confined space

air thick with unresolved tension. Deciding I

walk out into the bustling

of chatter and clinking dishes

of tables and servers,

seems to be in his element, his movements smooth

effortless.

minute?” I ask,

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

help with the silverware?” I say, gesturing toward the pile

the end

over a bunch of cloth napkins for

can’t help but feel a bit more

to