Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 61: The Apprentice
It’s Friday afternoon before the dinner rush, both the best—and worst—time to get this over with. The

idea, planted in my head by Ethan, has been rolling around in my head for two days. Finally, I decide to

set it into motion.

I lean against the door frame of my office, taking a deep breath before calling out, “Karl, John, could

you both come in here for a moment?”

I don’t miss the sidelong glances exchanged between the two men as they cross the threshold. It’s as if

the air thickens, charged with an electricity that neither wants to acknowledge but can’t ignore.

“Please have a seat,” I instruct, nodding toward the two chairs across from my desk.

Karl takes a seat, folding his arms over his chest as if steeling himself for battle. John follows suit but

not before shooting Karl a disdainful look, one that he returns with equal measure. The atmosphere is

so tense I could snap it with a knife.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk, my eyes shifting from one to the other. “Listen, both of

you have been valuable members of this team. But we’ve got a problem—a serious one. Karl, you can

be as stubborn as a mule, and John, you have a knack for being, well, grating.”

The looks on their faces tell me they both want to protest, but I hold up a hand to stop them.

“And so I’ve made a decision,” I continue, locking eyes with each of them in turn. “Starting today, Karl,

you will be working under John to learn the ropes as a line cook.”

For a moment, stunned silence fills the room. And then, as if a fuse has been lit, both men spring to

their feet.

“No way, Abby,” Karl growls, his jaw set and his eyes narrowed. “No way in hell am I working under

him.”

“You can’t be serious, Abby!” John chimes in, red-faced and incredulous. “I’d rather be fired than work

with this jackas s!”

a cornered animal,

It’s a volatile stand-off, a powder keg ready

snap, my voice laced with a finality that

surprise, they both comply, although the atmosphere is still

make

either of you would rather walk out that door than make this work, then by

gesturing toward the door with an outstretched arm. “But understand that this

adapt, then you’re the ones who are out of place,

team.”

hear the gears grinding in their heads,

and I see it—the unspoken understanding, the awareness

stake here for him.

For us.

years.

the team. Quitting now would be admitting defeat, something I know goes against his

core.

move to leave. I feel a slight twinge of both relief and

take a deep breath.

under John,” I say, setting my words in stone. “I

to put your differences aside for the good of this restaurant. And let me

at all, you’ll

with me, the reality of my ultimatum sinking in. It’s a bitter pill to swallow,

with the territory of teamwork, of

Abby,” John

eyes never leaving mine, sending a silent message that

feels like it’s

both dismissed. Get

sink back into my chair

The decision is made. Only time

Or maybe a little bit of

of the chair, needing to distance myself

into the storeroom, I find Chloe knee-deep in bottles

as she takes

Abbs,” she says,

onto the top of a crate, my shoulders

mine. “You look

okay?”

spill. “It’s fine. I just had to sit Karl

to make

force them