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 away from lunging at

It’s a volatile stand-off, a

laced with a finality that allows no room

although the atmosphere is still buzzing with palpable animosity.

the moment to make my stance abundantly

would rather walk out that door than make this work,

door with an outstretched arm. “But understand that this

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

team.”

practically hear the gears grinding in their

unspoken understanding, the awareness

stake here for him.

For us.

with me for years. I’ve seen

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

core.

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

take a deep breath.

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

the good of this

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

ultimatum

comes with the territory of

John finally mutters,

leaving mine, sending a silent message that only I can

I say, exhaling a tiny sigh of relief that feels like it’s been trapped inside of

both dismissed. Get back

back into my chair with a sigh.

is made. Only time will

Or maybe a

distance

storeroom, I find Chloe knee-deep in bottles

as she

says, glancing

a crate, my shoulders sagging. “Hey,

meeting mine. “You look like you’ve

okay?”

fine. I just had to sit

to make Karl

it would force them to get