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

a powder

I snap, my voice laced with a finality

surprise, they both comply, although the atmosphere is

the moment to make

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

I say, gesturing toward the door with an

adapt, then you’re the ones who are out of place,

team.”

practically hear the gears grinding in their heads, weighing options,

it—the unspoken understanding, the awareness that

stake here for him.

For us.

me for years. I’ve

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

core.

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

take a deep breath.

I say, setting my

aside for the good of this restaurant. And let me be

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

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

territory of teamwork, of

John finally

simply nods, his eyes never leaving mine, sending a silent

tiny sigh of relief that feels like

dismissed. Get back

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

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

maybe a

needing to distance myself from the tense atmosphere still clinging to

Chloe knee-deep

as she takes

Abbs,” she says,

a crate, my shoulders sagging. “Hey,

“You look like you’ve

okay?”

“It’s fine. I just had to sit

There’s been tension, and well, I’ve decided to make Karl apprentice under John as

would force them to