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

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

belligerent when anyone tries to correct

fold my arms over my chest, feeling a

is an Alpha, and there’s no doubt about

when he’s

you’ve been with this restaurant since we opened,”

a coworker when they’re not here to defend themselves. That’s not how we handle

this establishment.”

to flinch at my words. “I

reply, my voice firm. “I don’t

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

everyone else. Got

“I get it, Abby. I do. I’ll make sure

gotta do something about Karl. He’s

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

issues you

John replies, his voice tinged

the door. He

alone with my thoughts.

The atmosphere

a finely tuned instrument.

the head chef, plays an important role. Disharmony

right now, we’re on the cusp of some

dissonance.

appreciate the way he’s expressed them.

fit

to learn, two qualities that

from the desk, a heavy sigh escaping my

the air thick with unresolved tension. Deciding I need

out into the bustling

chatter and clinking dishes serves as a

way through the maze of tables and

As always, he seems to be

effortless.

a minute?” I ask, forcing

he replies, looking up and catching my

help with the silverware?” I say, gesturing toward

on the end of

sliding over a bunch of cloth napkins for

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

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