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.

I cut

hair. “Look, Abby, he makes a lot of

he can get downright belligerent when anyone

my arms over my chest, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

an Alpha, and there’s

he should be badmouthed when he’s

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

here to defend themselves. That’s

this establishment.”

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

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

those restaurants where it’s a free-for-all. Everyone

else. Got

I do. I’ll make sure it

gotta do something about Karl. He’s

I say with a sigh, already wondering how to broach

out any issues you have with Karl

replies, his voice

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

alone with my thoughts.

my chair, my mind racing. The atmosphere in the

a finely tuned instrument.

head chef, plays an

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

dissonance.

even if I don’t appreciate

to fit into our tightly knit

two qualities

escaping my lips.

with unresolved tension. Deciding I need a break

out

of chatter and clinking dishes

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

always, he seems to be in his element, his movements smooth

effortless.

minute?” I ask, forcing

up?” he

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

the end of

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

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

the simple, repetitive action, a contrast to the complicated