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

dish

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

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

beeline for the kitchen,

to make another plate of

bother,” I hiss as the door

kidding!”

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

wrong today. And Ethan, talk

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

to speak with the waitress. The

returns to its normal pace; but Karl is standing off to

him a shrug and walk away,

happen today.

to my office to collect myself. Thankfully, I’m

it’s only been five minutes that

knock on the

“Come in.”

Her face is red and her

nasty cold. She’s got a tissue

I’m really sorry. I thought I could manage

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

in the day.

“Thanks, Abby.”

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

doorway. He looks just as

think I

I groan, passing my hand over my

a weary sigh and sink further into

the breakfast rush isn’t even

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

employees, locked

stealing my tables!” Lisa exclaims, her eyes shooting daggers

don’t own the floor, Lisa!” Mark

interject, my patience wearing thin. “Mark, give Lisa her

and not

tension lingers in the air after

before turning back to the hostess station to see

official-looking badge

I say as pleasantly as I can. “How many

smile, holding his hand out. “I’m Jack Thompson, the

Mind if I take a look

universe still has one more

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

highest standards.”

him through the kitchen first, where Ethan and the crew are

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

labeling on the spices.