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!”

a cornered animal, inches away from

volatile stand-off, a powder

my voice laced with a finality

my surprise, they both comply, although the atmosphere is still buzzing with

the moment to make my

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

the door with an outstretched arm. “But understand that this is

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

team.”

hear the gears grinding in

understanding,

stake here for him.

For us.

for years.

admitting defeat, something I know goes against

core.

move to leave. I feel a slight twinge of both relief

take a deep breath.

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

the good of this restaurant. And

all, you’ll both answer for them. Am

of my ultimatum sinking in. It’s a bitter pill

with the territory of teamwork,

Abby,” John finally mutters,

never leaving mine, sending a silent message

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

dismissed. Get back

Karl and John exit my office, I sink back into my chair with a

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

maybe a

out of the chair, needing to distance myself from

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

as she

says, glancing up

the top of a crate, my shoulders sagging. “Hey,

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

okay?”

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

well, I’ve decided to

would force them to