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.

Karl?” I cut straight

running his fingers through his hair. “Look, Abby, he

can get downright belligerent

fold my arms over my chest, feeling a mixture of frustration

is an Alpha, and

should be badmouthed when he’s not even

with this restaurant since we opened,” I

to defend themselves. That’s not how

this establishment.”

seems to flinch at my words. “I understand that,

I reply, my voice firm. “I don’t want you making a

This isn’t one of those restaurants where it’s a free-for-all. Everyone needs

everyone else.

get it, Abby. I do. I’ll make sure it doesn’t

do something about Karl. He’s not exactly

say with a sigh, already wondering how to broach the subject with Karl

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

replies, his

the door. He nods, stands up,

alone with my thoughts.

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

a finely tuned instrument.

from the dishwasher to the head chef, plays an important

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

dissonance.

concerns, even if I don’t appreciate the way he’s expressed them. Karl

struggling to fit into our

learn, two qualities that can’t

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

Deciding I need

and walk out

and clinking dishes serves as a momentary distraction

maze of tables and servers, I find Ethan by the

As always, he seems to be in his element,

effortless.

got a minute?” I

lady. What’s up?” he replies, looking up and catching

I say, gesturing

end of the

sliding over a bunch of

but feel a bit more grounded. There’s something

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