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

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

downright belligerent when anyone tries to correct

my chest, feeling a mixture of

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

badmouthed when he’s not even around

we opened,” I say gently. “You

here to defend themselves. That’s not how

this establishment.”

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

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

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

everyone else. Got

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

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

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

you have with Karl when he’s present. Is

his voice tinged with

I say, gesturing to the door. He nods, stands

alone with my thoughts.

in my chair, my mind racing. The atmosphere

a finely tuned instrument.

to the head

composition, and right now, we’re on the cusp of

dissonance.

concerns, even if I don’t appreciate

and struggling to fit

to learn, two qualities that can’t always

desk, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. The

unresolved tension. Deciding I need a break from this

out into the

clinking dishes serves as a momentary distraction from my

tables

seems to be

effortless.

a minute?” I ask,

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

the silverware?” I say, gesturing toward the pile of spoons,

the end of the

sliding over a bunch of cloth

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

repetitive action, a contrast to