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!”

man bristling like a cornered animal, inches away from

volatile stand-off, a powder

laced with a finality that allows no room for

the atmosphere is

to make

of you would rather walk out that door than make this work, then by all means

toward the door with an

then you’re the ones who are out of

team.”

in their heads, weighing

unspoken understanding, the

stake here for him.

For us.

years. I’ve seen him

in the team. Quitting now would be admitting defeat, something

core.

a slight twinge

take a deep breath.

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

the good of

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

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

comes with the territory

John

leaving mine, sending a silent message that

tiny sigh of relief that feels like

dismissed. Get back

I sink back into my chair

made. Only time will tell if I’ve set the stage

Or maybe a little bit of

chair, needing to distance myself from the tense

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

as she

says, glancing up

sink onto the top of a crate, my shoulders sagging.

look like

okay?”

finally spill. “It’s fine.

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

would force them to