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

his fingers through his hair. “Look, Abby, he

he can get downright belligerent when anyone tries

a mixture of frustration and disappointment. John

Hell, I’ve lived it. Karl is an Alpha, and

be badmouthed when he’s not even around to

since we opened,” I say gently. “You know better than

to defend themselves. That’s not

this establishment.”

my words. “I understand that,

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

restaurants where it’s a

else. Got

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

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

I say with a sigh, already wondering how to broach the subject with Karl when we’re

ground. “We’ll sort out any issues you have

John replies, his

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 kitchen, is

a finely tuned instrument.

head chef, plays an important role. Disharmony in

and right now, we’re on

dissonance.

concerns, even if I don’t appreciate the way

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

willing to learn, two qualities that

escaping my lips. The confined

thick with unresolved tension. Deciding I need a break

walk out into the

dishes serves

of tables and servers, I

always, he seems to be in

effortless.

got a minute?” I ask,

he replies, looking up and catching

I help with the silverware?” I say, gesturing

the end of

replies, sliding over a bunch of cloth napkins for me to

silverware, I can’t help but feel a bit more

contrast to the complicated people issues I’ve