Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 65: Apologies
The aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering tomato sauce fills the air as I sit at my desk,

reviewing the inventory for the week.

It’s still early in the day, but the restaurant has already started to come alive. My eyes flit over numbers

and figures, but my thoughts keep drifting to the chaos of last night—Karl, John, Ethan, and that cook-

off looming in the future like a beacon of both opportunity and uncertainty.

As I’m about to turn my attention to the newly arrived email from Calvin, there’s a soft knock on my

door. “Come in,” I call out, hoping it’s not another crisis that needs immediate attention.

The door opens, and it’s John, looking a little sheepish. “Hey, Abby, you got a minute?”

I nod, gesturing for him to take a seat. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”

He hesitates, choosing his words carefully. “Look, about last night—I lost my cool, and I shouldn’t have

said what I did. I was…riled up, and I didn’t mean it. It was a long evening.”

I eye him skeptically, remembering his cutting remarks and confrontational demeanor. “You think?”

He winces. “I do. And I’m sorry. If you’re willing to forgive an old dog for his foolishness, I promise I’ll

train Karl properly and be more respectful. To everyone.”

The sincerity in his voice tips the balance for me. We’ve been through a lot, John and I, and though

he’s far from perfect, he’s an important part of this restaurant’s soul.

“Alright,” I say, extending my hand across the desk. “Apology accepted. Let’s move on and make this a

great place for everyone. Deal?”

“Deal,” he agrees, shaking my hand firmly.

“Great. Let’s get back out there; dinner service won’t prep itself,” I say, and we both stand to head back

to the kitchen.

As the door swings shut behind him, I can’t help but feel a small sense of relief. One hurdle cleared, but

still so many more to go.

…

The evening begins like any other, the staff bustling around the kitchen as orders start pouring in.

But there’s a palpable change in the atmosphere. John’s tone is softer, more instructive, less caustic. I

see him explaining the finer points of sauce reduction to Karl, who listens intently. My eyes meet John’s

for a moment, and he gives me a nod.

The dinner rush kicks in, and everyone springs into high gear. Plates are flying, stoves are blazing, and

the air is thick with the tantalizing smells of grilled meat, sautéed vegetables, and melting cheese.

But despite the chaos, there’s an underlying current of teamwork that wasn’t there before.

“Table six is ready to go, Abby,” Ethan calls out, sliding the plates onto the counter. I do a quick check

everything looks

servers swoop in to whisk the

hear John’s voice, commanding but not overbearing, instructing Karl on the proper

balance. You want enough sauce

much that it’s

listen, holding

John,” Karl replies, his tone earnest. He adjusts the angle of his tongs and

garnish of

and Karl beams, clearly pleased by the rare

giant leap forward for

each other in a sort

to get the meals

overcooked.

last few

and take

kitchen is humming with the sort of

than just a place to eat. It’s not perfect, far from it, but it’s a step in the

what could be

this time it’s me who gives the

his eyes crinkling at the corners as he allows himself a

…

kitchen into the

about to congratulate

awkwardly behind the bar, clutching her ankle and rocking back

forth.

rush over, my eyes narrowing with

rolled my ankle while serving table nine. Just give me

says, grimacing with

at her flushed face, her ankle swelling before my eyes, and shake my

home. Put that leg up. I’ll

to protest, her eyes filled with

tips you miss out on

yourself.”

finally nodding,

limps

notepad, turning my attention to Daisy’s tables. And

mine,

owns the place.

Here we go.

to see you all again,” I greet, forcing a smile as

well! If it isn’t Abby,” Emily says, a stiff smile taking over her features. “We were

you.”

an equally stiff smile and tuck a strand of

good things.”

tw inkling

“Of course,” Emily says.

you started with some

cosmopolitan, and a gin and tonic,” Emily says, her

sweetness.

reply, making

ears catch snippets of their conversation, laced

it was just a fluke, but

to run her own restaurant, but has

she can’t handle running the place. Probably gave it over to one of

was always like that, you know. Letting Alpha Karl run everything, always giving him

eyes.”

hands start to tremble. I head into the back room to