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!”

escalates, each man bristling like a

a volatile stand-off, a powder keg

I snap, my voice laced with

although the atmosphere is

moment to make

walk out that door than make this work,

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

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

team.”

practically hear the gears grinding in their heads, weighing

unspoken understanding, the

stake here for him.

For us.

years. I’ve

in the team. Quitting now would be admitting

core.

a slight twinge

take a deep breath.

you’ll be apprenticing under John,” I say, setting

the good of this restaurant. And let

any at all, you’ll

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

the territory of teamwork, of personal

John finally

never leaving mine, sending a silent message that only I can

I say, exhaling a tiny sigh of relief that feels

both dismissed. Get

into my chair with

made. Only time will

or growth. Or maybe

needing to distance myself from the

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

she

she says,

the top of a crate, my shoulders

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

okay?”

“It’s fine. I

well, I’ve decided to make Karl

it would force them to get