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,

a volatile stand-off, a

my voice laced with a finality

they both comply, although the

moment to make my stance abundantly

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

an outstretched arm. “But understand that

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

team.”

practically hear the gears grinding in

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

stake here for him.

For us.

years. I’ve seen

would be admitting defeat, something I know goes

core.

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

take a deep breath.

apprenticing under John,” I say, setting my words

put your differences aside for the good of this restaurant. And let me be perfectly clear—if

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,

territory of teamwork, of personal

Abby,” John finally

leaving mine, sending a silent message that

of relief that feels like it’s

both dismissed. Get

into my chair with a sigh. My mind churns with

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

or growth. Or maybe a little bit

of the chair, needing to distance myself from the

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

as she takes

Abbs,” she says,

a crate, my shoulders sagging.

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

okay?”

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

tension, and well, I’ve decided to make Karl apprentice

it would force