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

you another dish

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

answer, Amelia gets up and storms out. All I can do

really bad. I make a beeline for the kitchen, where Ethan is

another plate of eggs Benedict for

as the door swings shut behind me.

gotta be kidding!” he says.

pinching the bridge of my nose. “There’s nothing we can do now,”

talk to

to get too upset; Amelia West is just a bi

speak with the waitress. The kitchen, which

returns to its normal pace; but Karl is standing off to the side,

mine. All I can do is throw him a shrug and

happen today.

office to collect myself. Thankfully, I’m able to lose

of hours; but it feels as though it’s only

a knock

“Come in.”

servers. Her face is red and

like a nasty cold. She’s got a tissue in her hand and her hair

I thought I

to hide the mild annoyance in my voice—not directed

another hitch in the

“Thanks, Abby.”

then, to make matters worse, I’ve barely been in

in the doorway. He looks just as

I think

hand over my face. “Try not

a weary sigh and sink

the breakfast rush isn’t

the sanctuary of my office, heading back

Lisa, two of our employees, locked in a heated argument by the

Lisa exclaims, her eyes shooting daggers at

don’t own the floor, Lisa!” Mark

give Lisa her tables back. Lisa, focus

not internal

lingers in the air after they

to the hostess station to

official-looking

as pleasantly as I

smile, holding

if I take a

universe still has one more curveball up

taking his outstretched hand. “We always aim to maintain

highest standards.”

him through the kitchen first, where Ethan and the crew

his clipboard, asking to see the temperature logs, the storage areas, and even

labeling on the spices.