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

yell, and servers swoop in to whisk

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

linguini. “Remember, Karl, it’s all about balance.

much that it’s

pause to listen,

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

plate, a garnish of

comments, and Karl beams,

a small interaction, but it feels like a giant leap forward for both of them—and

around each other in a sort of uneasy but effective

together to get the meals out, and

overcooked.

past nine and the last few

step back and take it all

while, the kitchen is humming with the sort

just a place to eat. It’s not

sign of what could be rather than what has

my eye from across the kitchen, and this time it’s me who gives the

corners as he allows

…

out from the frenetic energy of the kitchen into

the air. I’m about to congratulate

seated awkwardly behind the bar, clutching her ankle and rocking

forth.

over, my eyes

table nine. Just give

grimacing with

her ankle swelling before my

that leg up.

starts to protest, her eyes

out on tonight, I’ll

yourself.”

for a moment before finally nodding,

I say as she limps

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

who used to be an acquaintance of mine, sitting there with her

owns the place.

Here we go.

again,” I greet, forcing a smile

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

you.”

equally stiff smile and tuck a strand of hair behind my

good things.”

their eyes tw

“Of course,” Emily says.

I get you started with some

a gin and tonic,” Emily says, her

sweetness.

reply, making a note

I move away, my ears catch snippets of their conversation, laced with contempt. “Wow.

fluke, but she’s waiting

run her own restaurant, but has to

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

was always like that, you know. Letting Alpha Karl

eyes.”

start to tremble. I head into the