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!”

like a cornered animal, inches away from

a volatile stand-off, a powder keg

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

the atmosphere is still buzzing with

to make my stance

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

say, gesturing toward the door with an outstretched arm. “But understand that

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

team.”

can practically hear the gears grinding in their heads,

and I see it—the unspoken understanding, the awareness that

stake here for him.

For us.

with me for years. I’ve seen him passionately involved in his

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

core.

feel a slight twinge of

take a deep breath.

John,” I say, setting my words in

of

any issues, any at all, you’ll both answer

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

territory of teamwork, of

Abby,” John finally mutters, albeit

mine, sending a silent message

relief that feels like it’s been trapped inside of

Get

my office, I sink back into

it’s done. The decision is made.

Or maybe

distance myself from the tense atmosphere still clinging

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

as she

says,

the top of a crate,

looks up, her eyes meeting mine. “You look

okay?”

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

to make Karl apprentice under John as

it would force them to get