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!”

escalates, each man bristling like a cornered animal, inches away

volatile stand-off, a powder keg ready to

I snap, my voice laced with a finality

surprise, they both comply, although the atmosphere is

moment to make my stance

you would rather walk out that door than make

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

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

team.”

in their heads,

it—the unspoken understanding, the awareness that

stake here for him.

For us.

worked with me for years. I’ve seen him passionately involved

would be admitting

core.

of the men move to leave. I feel a slight twinge of both

take a deep breath.

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

for the good of this restaurant.

you’ll

my ultimatum sinking in. It’s a bitter pill to

comes with the territory

Abby,” John

sending a silent message that only I

of relief that feels like it’s

dismissed. Get

Karl and John exit my office, I sink back into my chair with a

it’s done. The decision is made. Only time will tell if I’ve set the stage

maybe a little bit

out of the chair, needing to distance myself from the

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

she takes

Abbs,” she says, glancing

of a crate, my shoulders sagging.

“You look like you’ve just

okay?”

“It’s fine. I just had to sit Karl and John

I’ve decided to make Karl apprentice under

it would force them to