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 straight to the chase, my

through his hair. “Look, Abby, he makes a

get downright belligerent

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

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

when he’s not even around

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

they’re not here to defend

this establishment.”

my words. “I understand

I reply, my voice firm. “I don’t want you making a bad impression on the

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

else. Got

I’ll make sure

Karl.

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

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

his

door. He nods, stands up,

alone with my thoughts.

The atmosphere

a finely tuned instrument.

the dishwasher to the head chef, plays an important role.

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

dissonance.

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

the culinary arts, and struggling to fit into our tightly knit team. But

to learn, two qualities that can’t always

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

Deciding I need a break from this

out into the bustling

of chatter and clinking dishes serves as a momentary distraction from

of tables and servers, I find Ethan

always, he seems to be in his

effortless.

got a minute?” I ask,

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

help with the silverware?” I say, gesturing toward the pile of spoons, knives, and forks

the end of

a bunch of cloth napkins for me to

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

simple, repetitive action, a contrast to the