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!”

each man bristling like a

a volatile stand-off, a

I snap, my voice laced with a finality

the

moment to make

either of you would rather walk out that

the door with an outstretched

you can’t adapt, then you’re the ones who

team.”

grinding in their heads, weighing options,

unspoken understanding, the awareness that there’s

stake here for him.

For us.

worked with me for years. I’ve seen him

be admitting defeat, something I

core.

I feel a slight twinge of both relief and trepidation in my core,

take a deep breath.

I say, setting my words in stone.

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

you’ll both answer

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

the territory of teamwork, of personal

Abby,” John

mine, sending a silent message that only I

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

Get

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

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

growth. Or maybe a little bit of

distance myself from the

into the storeroom, I find Chloe knee-deep in bottles and cans,

she takes

says, glancing up at

of a crate, my shoulders sagging. “Hey,

her eyes meeting mine. “You look like

okay?”

hesitating before I finally spill. “It’s fine. I just had to sit Karl and John down

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

it would force