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.

with Karl?” I cut

his hair. “Look, Abby, he makes a lot of mistakes. He’s

he can get downright belligerent when anyone tries to

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

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

be badmouthed when he’s not even

we opened,” I say gently. “You know

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

this establishment.”

at my words. “I understand

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

This isn’t one of those restaurants where

else. Got

it, Abby. I do. I’ll make sure it

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

with a sigh, already wondering how to broach

sort out any issues you have with Karl when he’s present.

replies, his

I say, gesturing to the door. He

alone with my thoughts.

my chair, my mind racing. The atmosphere in the restaurant, especially the

a finely tuned instrument.

to the head chef,

and right now, we’re on the

dissonance.

even if I don’t appreciate the

fit into our tightly knit team. But he’s also

willing to learn, two qualities that

heavy sigh escaping my lips. The confined

the air thick with unresolved tension. Deciding I need a

walk out into the bustling

chatter and clinking dishes serves as

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

seems to be in his element,

effortless.

Ethan, got a minute?”

he replies, looking up and catching my

I say, gesturing toward the

end of

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

silverware, I can’t help but feel a bit

simple, repetitive action, a contrast to the complicated people issues