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

“Look, Abby, he makes a lot of mistakes.

can get downright belligerent when anyone tries

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

firsthand. Hell, I’ve lived it. Karl is an Alpha, and there’s no doubt about it. But

he should be badmouthed when he’s not even around

this restaurant since we opened,” I say gently. “You know

defend themselves.

this establishment.”

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

“I don’t want you making a bad impression

where it’s a free-for-all. Everyone needs

everyone else. Got

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

Karl. He’s not exactly

a sigh, already wondering how to

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

John replies, his

say, gesturing to the door. He nods, stands up, and exits my office,

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.

head

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

dissonance.

I don’t appreciate the way he’s expressed them. Karl

in the culinary arts, and struggling to fit into our tightly

learn, two qualities that can’t

heavy sigh escaping my lips. The confined space of my office

with unresolved tension. Deciding I need a break from

walk out into the

clinking dishes serves

of tables and servers,

to be in

effortless.

Ethan, got a minute?”

up?” he replies, looking

I say, gesturing toward the pile of spoons, knives,

on the end

replies, sliding over a bunch of cloth napkins for me

help but feel a bit more grounded. There’s

repetitive action, a contrast to the complicated people issues I’ve been