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!”

bristling like a cornered animal, inches

a

I snap, my voice laced with a finality that

the atmosphere is still buzzing

make

walk out that door than make this work,

the door with an

can’t adapt, then you’re the ones who are

team.”

grinding in

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

stake here for him.

For us.

worked with me for years.

in the team. Quitting now would be admitting defeat, something

core.

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

take a deep breath.

apprenticing under John,” I say, setting my words in stone. “I expect

your differences aside for the good of this restaurant. And let me be

you’ll both answer

reality of my ultimatum sinking in.

the territory

understand, Abby,” John

eyes never leaving mine, sending a silent message

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

both dismissed. Get back to

my office, I sink back into

what-ifs, but it’s done. The decision is made. Only time will tell

Or maybe a little

to distance myself

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

as she

she says, glancing up

onto the top of a crate,

“You look like you’ve just been through a

okay?”

temples, hesitating before I finally spill. “It’s fine. I just had to

and well, I’ve decided to make Karl

force them to get