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!”

escalates, each man bristling like a cornered animal, inches away from lunging

volatile stand-off, a powder keg ready

my voice laced with a finality that allows no room for

although the

make

that door than make

an outstretched arm. “But understand that this

then you’re the ones

team.”

in

see it—the unspoken understanding,

stake here for him.

For us.

for years.

now would be admitting defeat, something I

core.

to leave. I feel a slight twinge of both relief and trepidation in my core,

take a deep breath.

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

differences aside for the good of this restaurant. And let me be perfectly

you’ll both answer for them. Am I

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

the territory of teamwork, of

Abby,” John finally mutters, albeit

his eyes never leaving mine, sending

relief that feels

both dismissed. Get back

and John exit my office, I sink back into my chair

made. Only time

growth. Or maybe a little bit

of the chair, needing to distance myself from the tense atmosphere still clinging

I find Chloe knee-deep

she

she says, glancing up

onto the top of a crate, my shoulders sagging. “Hey,

“You look like you’ve just been

okay?”

I finally spill. “It’s fine. I just

decided to make Karl apprentice under

would force them to get