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,

It’s a volatile stand-off, a powder keg ready

snap, my voice laced with a

both comply, although the atmosphere is still buzzing

moment to make my stance

would rather walk out that door than make

toward the door with an outstretched

of you can’t adapt, then you’re

team.”

practically hear the gears grinding in their heads, weighing options, simmering

and I see it—the unspoken understanding, the awareness that there’s something more

stake here for him.

For us.

worked with me for years. I’ve seen

be admitting defeat, something I know goes

core.

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

take a deep breath.

Karl, you’ll be apprenticing under John,” I say, setting my words in stone.

to put your differences aside for the good of this restaurant.

all, you’ll both

my ultimatum

territory of teamwork,

Abby,” John finally mutters,

nods, his eyes never leaving mine, sending a

exhaling a tiny sigh of relief that feels like it’s been trapped

both dismissed. Get

into my chair with a

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

growth. Or maybe a

distance myself

I find Chloe knee-deep

she takes

she says, glancing up at

a

look like you’ve just been through

okay?”

spill. “It’s fine. I just

I’ve decided to make Karl

would force them to get