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!”

tension escalates, each man bristling like a cornered animal, inches away from lunging at

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

snap, my voice laced with a finality that allows no room

although the atmosphere

make my stance abundantly

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

with an outstretched arm. “But understand that this is

a team. If either of you can’t adapt, then you’re the ones who are out of

team.”

grinding in their heads,

understanding, the awareness that there’s something more

stake here for him.

For us.

he’s worked with me for years.

now would be admitting defeat, something I know goes

core.

feel a slight twinge of both relief and trepidation

take a deep breath.

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

aside for the good of this restaurant. And

at all, you’ll both answer

eyes with me, the reality of my ultimatum sinking in. It’s

with the territory of teamwork, of

John finally mutters, albeit

eyes never leaving mine, sending a silent

of relief that feels like it’s been trapped inside of

Get

John exit my office, I sink back into my chair

done. The decision is made. Only time will tell if

Or maybe a

out of the chair, needing to distance myself from

Stepping into the storeroom, I find Chloe knee-deep in

she

says, glancing up

sink onto the top of a crate, my shoulders

up, her eyes meeting mine. “You look like you’ve just been through

okay?”

I finally spill. “It’s fine.

tension, and well, I’ve decided to make Karl

force