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.

John, what’s the issue with Karl?” I cut straight to the chase,

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

get downright belligerent when anyone tries to

feeling a mixture

it. Karl is an Alpha, and

badmouthed when he’s not even around to

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

not here to defend themselves. That’s

this establishment.”

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

voice firm. “I don’t

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

else. Got

it, Abby. I do. I’ll

about Karl. He’s

know,” I say with a sigh, already wondering how to

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

John replies, his

the door. He

alone with my thoughts.

in my chair, my mind racing. The

a finely tuned instrument.

individual, from the dishwasher to the head chef, plays an

the entire composition, and right now, we’re

dissonance.

understand John’s concerns, even if I don’t appreciate the way

struggling to fit into our tightly

learn, two qualities that can’t always

the desk, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. The

unresolved tension. Deciding I need a break from this contained

and walk out into the

chatter and clinking dishes serves as a momentary distraction from

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

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

effortless.

got a minute?” I ask, forcing

lady. What’s up?” he replies,

the silverware?” I say, gesturing toward

the end of the

sliding over a bunch of cloth

help but feel a bit more

contrast to the complicated people issues I’ve been wrestling