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!”

each man bristling like a cornered

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

down,” I snap, my voice laced with a finality that

comply, although the

the moment to make my stance

would rather walk out that

door with an outstretched arm. “But understand that

then you’re the ones who are out

team.”

gears grinding in their

see it—the unspoken understanding, the awareness

stake here for him.

For us.

for years. I’ve seen him passionately involved in his work,

team. Quitting now would be admitting defeat, something I know

core.

to leave. I feel a slight twinge of both relief

take a deep breath.

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

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

at all, you’ll both answer for

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

comes with the territory

Abby,” John

leaving mine, sending a silent message

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

dismissed. Get

and John exit my office, I sink back into my chair with a sigh. My mind

what-ifs, but it’s done. The decision is made.

Or maybe a

the chair, needing to distance myself from the tense atmosphere still clinging to

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

she takes

says, glancing up at

onto the top of a crate, my

her eyes meeting mine. “You look like you’ve just been through a war. Is

okay?”

rub my temples, hesitating before I finally spill. “It’s fine. I just had

There’s been tension, and well, I’ve decided to make

it would force them to