Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 64: Out in the Open
Standing in the alley, the tension between Karl and me is almost palpable, like a living, breathing entity

that neither of us can ignore. His eyes search mine, as if trying to excavate the truth from deep within

me.

“Is it true, Abby? Your wolf is—”

I cut him off, not wanting to delve into that cavern of pain right now. “Forget it,” I say, turning away.

There’s a beat of silence as we both grapple with our feelings. I thought that Karl somehow knew about

the fact that my wolf has been in a coma all this time, but it seems as though he has no idea. I can’t

decide if it makes it hurt worse or less.

“Abby, why didn’t you tell me?” he asks gently.

I can feel his fingers brush my arm. It’s a comfort for the briefest of moments, but I’m still angry, still

hearing Chloe’s words whirling around in my head. I pull away and turn on him, pointing a finger at his

chest.

“Karl, if you want to get on my good side, if you want a chance at anything, you need to be a team

player. That’s the end of it.”

He studies me for a beat, then finally nods, clearly giving up on the subject of my wolf. “Fine. But you

need to talk to John about his attitude too, Abby. It’s not just me who has a problem with him.”

The concession tastes bitter in my mouth, but it’s necessary. John’s inappropriate remarks and hot-

headed attitude in the kitchen have been a problem for a long time now. He’s such a good employee

and an excellent cook that I try to ignore it, but Karl is right; it’s about time that he’s put in his place.

“Agreed,” I say with a nod. “Now get back in there. We have a dinner service to complete.”

Karl gives me a nod, a mere shadow of his former c ocky self, and heads back inside. I take a deep

breath, preparing myself for the conversation that awaits me. With John.

The atmosphere in the kitchen is thick with tension as I reenter, but I push through it, striding past the

line cooks and prep stations until I reach my office.

inside, I take a few minutes to steady my racing

I lean out into the

see you

words leave my mouth, I sense the shift

his prep work, his eyes narrowing as they

he mutters, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel before making his

sealing us off

gesturing toward the chair across

is rigid, his eyes wary. “Abby, if you’re

words carefully. “John, your attitude in

for a long time. But it’s gone too far. Your

team—it’s unacceptable.”

indignation. “So, you’re siding

away, my hands clenched into fists around the arms

sides, John. This is about the environment in

comments have been making female staff uncomfortable as well. This is

and for a moment I think he’s going to explode. “I’ve been working here for

got to be kidding me. Why are you bringing all this up

shake my head. “That’s my business. And yes, you have been here for years,

a warning.”

pauses, opening and closing his mouth as though trying to

words. But then, finally, he spits it out. “This

you’re single,

back to him, incredulous.

“What?”

repeat, my voice icy. “And come back when you’re ready to speak to me with the respect

deserve as your boss.”

moment, he just stares at me, as if trying to

rises from his seat, storming out of my office

in his wake, I drop my face into my hands and let out a sigh that feels

restaurant was supposed to be a dream,

But the

hear a knock at the door. Looking up, I find Ethan standing

all over his

asks, taking

rub my temples, then exhale deeply before recapping the unpleasant exchange with

treating people with respect, Ethan. It’s frustrating

Especially his snide comments

because frankly, John wasn’t entirely wrong. I do have the

but I won’t admit it to anyone, nor do I ever plan on acting on it. And that has nothing to do

any of this anyway.

shaking my head. “I won’t repeat it. It

he closes the door behind him. “That’s low. Even