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.

cut straight to

Abby, he

downright belligerent when anyone

chest, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment. John isn’t

Alpha, and there’s no doubt about it. But it

badmouthed when he’s not even around to defend

with this restaurant since we opened,” I say gently.

here to defend themselves. That’s not

this establishment.”

“I understand

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

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

else. Got

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

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

know,” I say with a sigh, already wondering how to broach the subject with Karl when

ground. “We’ll sort out any issues you have with Karl when he’s

his voice

door. He nods, stands up,

alone with my thoughts.

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

a finely tuned instrument.

from the dishwasher to the head

and right now, we’re

dissonance.

appreciate the way he’s expressed them.

fit into our tightly knit

two qualities that can’t

from the desk, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. The confined space

I need

out into the

chatter and clinking dishes serves as a momentary distraction from

way through the maze of tables and servers, I find Ethan by the

glasses. As always, he seems to be in his element, his

effortless.

got a minute?” I ask, forcing

he replies, looking up and catching my

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

the end of the

over a bunch of cloth napkins

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

contrast to the complicated people issues