Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 77: Mounting Frustrations
Abby

The day starts just as any normal day should: with the aroma of simmering tomato sauce and sizzling

bacon filling the restaurant, and the sound of happy breakfast customers wafting through the air.

But as I settle into the rhythm of another busy workday, something feels off. I can’t quite explain it, but it

almost feels as though something is electric in the air.

That’s when it happens.

I haven’t even taken my first sip of coffee of the day when Ethan is suddenly rushing into my office

faster than I thought he could even move with his leg, and there’s a look of dread on his face. Before I

can even open my mouth to speak, his words are tumbling out in a torrent of emotion.

“Abby, we’ve got a problem. Amelia West from ‘Gourmet Gazette’ is here, and she doesn’t look happy.”

My heart sinks at the mention of the infamous food critic.

“Why?” I ask, bolting up from my chair. “What happened?”

Ethan shrugs, throwing his hands up in the air. “Hell if I know. All I know is that she got her food a few

minutes ago, made a face, sent it back, and started writing in her notebook. G od, I’m such an idiot. I

didn’t even recognize her at first…”

With a deep breath, I place a hand on Ethan’s shoulder reassuringly. “It’s alright, just keep calm. Let’s

make sure everything is perfect. Double-check the specials and inform the servers. I’ll go talk to her

and see why she sent the food back.”

After taking a moment to compose myself, I head over to Amelia’s table. “Good morning, Ms. West. It’s

an honor to have you here. Is everything to your satisfaction?”

She looks up from her notebook, snapping it shut with a sour look on her face. “Where do I even start?”

she hisses. “My food was lukewarm, and I couldn’t even taste the garlic underneath the mountain of

sauce on the plate. I’ve been waiting for my coffee for fifteen minutes, and your waitress had an

attitude when I sent the food back.”

The food critic’s words send a shiver through my spine. Amelia West isn’t exactly known for being the

most lenient of food critics. If I had known that she was here, I would have served her myself.

“I’m very sorry, Ms. West,” I reply, maintaining my composure. “Your feedback is invaluable to us. I’ll be

sure to brew you a fresh pot of coffee right away, and the waitress will be disciplined accordingly. Can I

another dish on

pushing her chair back. “No, don’t bother.

and storms out. All I

I make a beeline for the kitchen, where Ethan is wringing his

another plate of eggs

door swings shut behind me.

widen. “You’ve gotta be kidding!” he

of my nose. “There’s nothing we can do now,” I mutter. “Let’s

today. And Ethan, talk to whichever waitress

there’s no need to get too upset; Amelia West is

speak with the waitress. The kitchen, which has fallen

Karl is standing off to the side, his knowing

is throw him a shrug and walk away, hoping that this

happen today.

Thankfully, I’m able to lose myself

hours; but it feels as though it’s only been five minutes that I’ve been alone before

knock on

“Come in.”

the servers. Her face is red and

but from what looks like a nasty cold. She’s got a tissue in her hand

I thought

interrupt, trying to hide the mild annoyance in

another hitch in the day.

“Thanks, Abby.”

to make matters worse, I’ve barely been in my office

He

think I

go,” I groan, passing my hand over my face. “Try not to get anyone

let out a weary sigh and sink

and the breakfast rush isn’t even

my office, heading back to the floor to help out. That’s

of our employees, locked in a

exclaims, her

don’t own

interject, my patience wearing thin. “Mark, give Lisa her tables back. Lisa, focus on

and not

the air after they leave.

back to the hostess station to

and an official-looking badge on

pleasantly as

I’m not dining,” he says with a terse smile, holding

Mind if I take

course. The universe still has

taking his outstretched hand. “We

highest standards.”

where Ethan and the crew

his clipboard, asking to see the temperature logs,

labeling on the spices.