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!”

a cornered animal, inches away from lunging at

a volatile stand-off, a powder keg ready

with a finality

they both comply, although the atmosphere is still

make my stance

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

an outstretched arm. “But

adapt, then

team.”

the gears grinding in their heads, weighing options, simmering egos. Karl’s

it—the unspoken understanding, the awareness that there’s

stake here for him.

For us.

with me for years. I’ve seen

the team. Quitting now would be admitting

core.

leave. I feel a slight twinge of both relief and

take a deep breath.

John,” I say, setting my words in stone.

the good of this

any issues, any at all, you’ll both

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

with the territory of

understand, Abby,” John finally

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

exhaling a tiny sigh of relief that feels like it’s been

Get

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

decision is made.

growth. Or maybe a little bit

push myself out of the chair, needing to distance myself from the

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

as she

Abbs,” she says, glancing up at

a crate, my

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

okay?”

before I finally spill. “It’s fine. I just had to sit Karl

I’ve decided to make Karl apprentice under John as a

force them to