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

a powder keg ready

voice laced with a finality that allows no room for

both comply, although the atmosphere

make my stance abundantly

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

I say, gesturing toward the door with an outstretched

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

team.”

practically hear the gears grinding in their heads, weighing options,

unspoken understanding, the awareness that there’s something

stake here for him.

For us.

with me for years.

be admitting defeat,

core.

a slight twinge of

take a deep breath.

Karl, you’ll be apprenticing under John,” I

for the good of this restaurant. And let me be perfectly clear—if

all, you’ll both

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

territory

Abby,” John finally

nods, his eyes never leaving mine, sending a silent message that

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

Get back

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

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

or growth. Or maybe a little

needing to distance myself from the tense atmosphere still clinging

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

as she

Abbs,” she says, glancing up at

top of a crate, my shoulders

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

okay?”

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

been tension, and well, I’ve decided to make Karl apprentice under John as a

it would force them to get