Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Chapter 101
The aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering tomato sauce fills the air as I sit at my desk,

reviewing the inventory for the week.

It’s still early in the day, but the restaurant has already started to come alive. My eyes flit over numbers

and figures, but my thoughts keep drifting to the chaos of last night—Karl, John, Ethan, and that cook-

off looming in the future like a beacon of both opportunity and uncertainty.

As I’m about to turn my attention to the newly arrived email from Calvin, there’s a soft knock on my

door. “Come in,” I call out, hoping it’s not another crisis that needs immediate attention.

The door opens, and it’s John, looking a little sheepish. “Hey, Abby, you got a minute?”

I nod, gesturing for him to take a seat. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”

He hesitates, choosing his words carefully. “Look, about last night—I lost my cool, and I shouldn’t have

said what I did. I was…riled up, and I didn’t mean it. It was a long evening.”

I eye him skeptically, remembering his cutting remarks and confrontational demeanor. “You think?”

He winces. “I do. And I’m sorry. If you’re willing to forgive an old dog for his foolishness, I promise I’ll

train Karl properly and be more respectful. To everyone.”

The sincerity in his voice tips the balance for me. We’ve been through a lot, John and I, and though

from perfect, he’s an important part of this restaurant’s

say, extending my hand across the desk. “Apology accepted. Let’s move

for everyone.

shaking my

service won’t prep itself,” I

to the kitchen.

I can’t help but feel a small sense

many more to

…

any other, the staff bustling around the kitchen

a palpable change in the atmosphere. John’s tone is softer,

points of sauce reduction to Karl, who listens intently. My eyes meet

and he

kicks in, and everyone springs into

air is thick with the tantalizing smells

an underlying current of teamwork that

calls out, sliding the plates onto the

everything looks

yell, and servers swoop in

but not overbearing,

Karl, it’s all about balance. You want enough sauce so it’s flavorful

so much that it’s

listen, holding

replies, his tone earnest. He adjusts the angle of his

garnish of parsley providing

and Karl beams, clearly pleased by

small interaction, but it feels like a giant leap forward for both of them—and for me. As