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 the chase, my eyes meeting his

through his hair. “Look, Abby, he makes a lot

downright belligerent when anyone tries to correct

my chest, feeling a mixture

Hell, I’ve lived it. Karl is an Alpha, and there’s no doubt about it. But it doesn’t

he should be badmouthed when he’s not even around

opened,” I say gently. “You

when they’re not here to defend themselves. That’s not how we handle

this establishment.”

to flinch at my words. “I understand

voice firm. “I don’t want you making a

where it’s a

everyone else.

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

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

already wondering how to broach the subject with Karl when

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

his voice

the door. He nods, stands

alone with my thoughts.

racing. The atmosphere in

a finely tuned instrument.

the head chef, plays an important

entire composition, and right now, we’re on the cusp of

dissonance.

concerns, even if I don’t appreciate the way he’s expressed them. Karl is

arts, and struggling to fit into our tightly knit

willing to learn, two qualities

the desk, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. The

tension. Deciding I need a break from this contained

and walk out into the bustling

and clinking dishes serves as a momentary distraction from

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

to be

effortless.

a minute?”

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

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

on the end

over a bunch of cloth napkins for me to

help but

to the complicated people issues