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.

cut straight to

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

downright belligerent

my arms over my chest, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment. John isn’t wrong;

is an Alpha, and there’s no

should be badmouthed when he’s not even around to defend

opened,” I say gently. “You know better

when they’re not here to defend themselves. That’s not

this establishment.”

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

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

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

else. Got

get it, Abby. I do. I’ll make sure it

something about Karl. He’s not

wondering how to broach the subject

any issues you have with

his

go,” I say, gesturing to the door.

alone with my thoughts.

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

a finely tuned instrument.

dishwasher to the head chef,

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

dissonance.

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

and struggling to fit into our tightly

qualities that can’t always be

desk, a heavy sigh escaping my lips.

with unresolved tension. Deciding I need a break from this contained atmosphere,

and walk out into

of chatter and clinking dishes serves as a momentary distraction

tables and servers, I find Ethan by the

seems to be in his element,

effortless.

a minute?” I ask,

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

with the silverware?” I say, gesturing toward the

the end

sliding over a bunch

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

action, a contrast to the complicated