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

It’s a volatile stand-off, a

I snap, my voice laced with a finality that

they both comply, although the atmosphere is still buzzing with palpable animosity.

the moment to make my stance abundantly

of you would rather walk out that

an outstretched arm. “But understand

of you can’t adapt, then you’re

team.”

grinding in

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

stake here for him.

For us.

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

in the team. Quitting now would be admitting defeat,

core.

move to leave. I feel a slight twinge

take a deep breath.

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

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

you’ll both

ultimatum sinking in. It’s a bitter pill to

comes with the territory of

John finally mutters,

nods, his eyes never leaving mine, sending

of relief that feels

dismissed. Get back to

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

is made. Only time will tell

growth. Or maybe a little bit

chair, needing to distance myself from the tense atmosphere still clinging

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

as she

she says, glancing

of a

looks up, her eyes meeting mine. “You look like you’ve

okay?”

I finally spill. “It’s fine. I just had to sit

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

force them to