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

It’s a volatile stand-off, a powder keg ready to

down,” I snap, my voice laced with a

comply, although the atmosphere is still buzzing with palpable

to make my stance

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

an outstretched arm. “But understand that

either of you can’t adapt, then you’re the ones who are out of place,

team.”

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

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

stake here for him.

For us.

me for years. I’ve seen

team. Quitting now would be admitting defeat, something I know goes against his

core.

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

take a deep breath.

Karl, you’ll be apprenticing under John,” I say, setting my words in

the good of this restaurant. And let me be

you’ll both answer for them.

reality of my ultimatum sinking in. It’s a bitter pill

territory of teamwork, of

Abby,” John

mine, sending a silent message

feels like

both dismissed. Get back

I sink back into my chair with a sigh. My mind churns

and what-ifs, but it’s done. The decision is made. Only time will tell if I’ve set the

growth. Or maybe a little bit

push myself out of the chair, needing to distance myself from the tense atmosphere still

Chloe knee-deep in bottles and cans, jotting

as she takes

says,

the top of a crate, my shoulders

up, her eyes meeting mine. “You look like

okay?”

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

There’s been tension, and well, I’ve decided to

it would force them to get