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!”

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

a powder keg ready

down,” I snap, my voice laced with a finality that allows no room for

although the atmosphere is still buzzing

the moment to make my stance abundantly

that door than make this work, then by

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

then you’re the ones who are out of place, not

team.”

practically hear the gears grinding in their

unspoken understanding, the awareness

stake here for him.

For us.

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

would be admitting defeat, something I

core.

a slight twinge of both relief and trepidation in my core,

take a deep breath.

apprenticing under John,” I say, setting my words

aside for the good of this

any issues, any at all, you’ll both answer for them. Am I

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

territory of teamwork,

John finally

nods, his eyes never leaving mine, sending a silent message

of relief that feels like it’s been trapped inside of

both dismissed. Get

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

and what-ifs, but it’s done. The decision is made. Only time will tell if I’ve set

Or maybe a

chair, needing to distance myself

storeroom, I find Chloe knee-deep in bottles and cans, jotting

she

says, glancing

of a crate, my shoulders

eyes meeting mine. “You look like

okay?”

fine. I just had to sit Karl

and well, I’ve decided to make

force them to get