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

chair back.

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

is really bad. I make a beeline for

of eggs Benedict for the

I hiss as the door swings shut behind me.

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

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

today. And Ethan, talk to

to get too upset; Amelia West is just a

nods, preparing himself to speak with the waitress. The kitchen,

my entrance, returns to its normal pace; but Karl is standing off to

I can do is throw him a shrug and walk

happen today.

I’m able

though it’s only been five minutes that I’ve been

knock on the

“Come in.”

door opens, and it’s Sarah, one of the servers. Her face is

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

sorry. I thought I

to hide the mild annoyance in my voice—not directed at

the day.

“Thanks, Abby.”

in my office

doorway. He

I think I

hand over my face.

and sink further into my chair. Two servers

food critic, and the

leave the sanctuary of my office, heading back

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

Lisa exclaims, her eyes shooting

own the floor,

give Lisa her tables back. Lisa, focus on

and not

in the air after they leave. I watch

cheek, before turning back to the hostess station to see a

an official-looking badge

I say as pleasantly as I can. “How many are dining

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

I

universe still has one

manage, taking his outstretched hand. “We always aim

highest standards.”

and

his clipboard, asking to see the temperature logs, the

labeling on the spices.