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, inches away

a volatile stand-off, a

with a finality that allows no

both comply, although the atmosphere is still buzzing with palpable

the moment to make

walk out that door than make this work, then

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

If either of you can’t adapt, then

team.”

can practically hear the gears grinding in

I see it—the unspoken understanding,

stake here for him.

For us.

John, he’s worked with me for years. I’ve seen him passionately

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

core.

men move to leave. I feel a slight twinge of

take a deep breath.

John,” I say, setting my words

to put your differences aside for the good of

you’ll both answer for them.

men lock eyes with me, the reality of my ultimatum sinking in. It’s

the territory of

understand, Abby,” John finally mutters,

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

that feels like it’s been trapped inside of

Get back to

sink back into my chair with a sigh. My mind

is made. Only time

maybe a little bit

chair, needing to distance myself from the tense atmosphere still

find Chloe knee-deep in bottles and

as she takes

she says, glancing up at

top of a crate, my shoulders sagging.

looks up, her eyes meeting mine. “You look like you’ve just

okay?”

fine. I just

to make Karl apprentice under John as a line

force them