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.

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

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

he can get downright belligerent when anyone tries

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

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

he should be badmouthed when he’s not

with this restaurant since we opened,” I say

coworker when they’re not here to defend

this establishment.”

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

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

of those restaurants where it’s a free-for-all. Everyone needs to be

everyone else. Got

I’ll make sure it doesn’t

about Karl. He’s not

wondering how to broach

out any issues you have

John replies, his voice tinged with

to the door. He nods, stands up, and exits

alone with my thoughts.

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

a finely tuned instrument.

to the head chef, plays an important

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

dissonance.

concerns, even if I don’t appreciate the way

fit into

to learn, two qualities that can’t always

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

the air thick with unresolved tension. Deciding I need a break from this contained atmosphere,

out into the

clinking dishes

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

to be in

effortless.

minute?” I ask, forcing

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

help with the silverware?” I say, gesturing

the end of

over a bunch of cloth napkins

silverware, I can’t help but feel a bit

action, a contrast to the complicated