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!”

like a cornered animal, inches away from lunging

It’s a volatile stand-off, a

I snap, my voice laced with a finality that allows no

they both comply, although the atmosphere is still buzzing with palpable animosity.

moment to make my stance

that door than make this work, then

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

of you can’t adapt, then you’re the

team.”

the gears grinding in their heads, weighing

it—the unspoken understanding, the awareness that there’s something

stake here for him.

For us.

worked with me for years. I’ve seen him passionately involved in

admitting defeat, something I know goes

core.

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

take a deep breath.

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

your differences aside for the good of this restaurant. And

any issues, any at all, you’ll

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

the territory

understand, Abby,” John finally

his eyes never leaving mine, sending a silent message that only I can

of relief that feels like it’s been trapped inside of me for ages.

Get

sink back into my chair with a sigh. My mind churns with

decision is made. Only time will tell if I’ve

maybe

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

the storeroom, I find Chloe knee-deep in bottles and cans, jotting down notes on

as she takes

she says, glancing

a

look

okay?”

rub my temples, hesitating before I finally spill. “It’s fine. I just had to sit Karl and John down

tension, and well, I’ve decided to

would force them to