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 the

back. “No, don’t bother.

out. All I can do is walk away, my fists

for

make another plate of eggs Benedict for

I hiss as the door swings shut

eyes widen. “You’ve gotta be kidding!” he says.

“There’s nothing we can do now,” I mutter. “Let’s just

today. And Ethan, talk to whichever waitress had Amelia’s

no need to get too upset; Amelia West is just a

with the waitress. The

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

can do is throw him a shrug and walk away,

happen today.

collect myself. Thankfully, I’m able to

though it’s only been five minutes

a knock on

“Come in.”

Sarah, one of the servers. Her face is red and her eyes are puffy, not from

got a

really sorry. I thought I could manage today,

home,” I interrupt, trying to hide the mild annoyance in my voice—not directed

hitch in the day. “Feel

“Thanks, Abby.”

I’ve barely been in my office for another

doorway. He looks just as bad

think I

groan, passing my hand over my face.

leaves, I let out a weary sigh and sink further into my chair. Two servers

and the

the sanctuary of my office, heading back to the floor to help out.

locked in a heated

exclaims, her

don’t own the floor, Lisa!” Mark

“Mark, give Lisa her tables

and not

apologies, but the tension lingers in the air after they

cheek, before turning back to the hostess station to see a a man standing there

an official-looking badge on his

morning,” I say as pleasantly as

terse smile, holding his hand

I take a

has one more curveball up its

Thompson,” I manage, taking his outstretched hand. “We always aim to

highest standards.”

the kitchen first, where Ethan and

see the temperature logs, the

labeling on the spices.