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

It’s a volatile stand-off, a

my voice laced with a finality that

the atmosphere is still buzzing

make my stance abundantly

out that door than

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

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

team.”

the gears grinding in their heads, weighing

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

stake here for him.

For us.

me for years. I’ve seen him passionately involved

would be admitting defeat, something

core.

feel a slight

take a deep breath.

be apprenticing under John,” I say,

for the good of this restaurant. And

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

reality of my ultimatum sinking in.

territory of teamwork, of personal

understand, Abby,” John

leaving mine, sending a silent message that only I

that feels like it’s been trapped inside of me for

dismissed. Get back

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

is made. Only time will tell if I’ve

Or maybe a little bit of

push myself out of the chair, needing to distance myself from the tense atmosphere still

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

she

she says,

the top of a crate,

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

okay?”

temples, hesitating before I finally spill. “It’s fine. I just had to sit Karl and John

and well, I’ve decided to make Karl apprentice

it would force