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

a volatile stand-off, a powder keg ready to

laced with a

they both comply, although the atmosphere is still buzzing with

the moment to make my

that door than make this work, then by all means

toward the door with an

team. If either of you can’t adapt, then you’re the ones who are

team.”

in their heads, weighing options,

unspoken understanding, the awareness that

stake here for him.

For us.

for years. I’ve seen him passionately involved in

be admitting defeat, something I know goes against his

core.

to leave. I feel a slight twinge of both relief

take a deep breath.

today, Karl, you’ll be apprenticing under John,” I say, setting

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

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

my ultimatum sinking in. It’s a bitter pill

the territory of

John finally

simply nods, his eyes never leaving mine, sending

sigh of relief that feels like

Get back to

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

made. Only time

Or maybe a little bit

chair, needing to distance myself from the

knee-deep in bottles and cans, jotting down notes on

she takes

says, glancing up at

the top of a crate,

her eyes meeting mine. “You look

okay?”

“It’s fine. I just had to sit Karl

decided to make Karl apprentice under

would force