Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 20 – Accepting Help
Abby

“Stop joking around,” I say, placing my empty glass on the ground. “This is serious.”

“I’m not joking.”

We stare across the room at each other. I kind of want to laugh, but something tells me he wouldn’t

appreciate that. Still, there’s no way he’s going to come into my restaurant and work in the back. He

might think he wants to help, but I’m not sure he knows what that job actually entails. Plus, it’s not like

he has tons of free time on his hands. He’s an Alpha. Even if the pack is in a better position, there’s still

a million things he has to do on a daily basis.

“Okay, whatever you say,” I answer, opting for levity.

He frowns, a determined look on his face. “Why won’t you let me help you?”

“I just don’t think you understand what you’re saying.”

He rolls his eyes. “I understand perfectly fine, thank you.”

I can tell I’ve offended him a little, but I don’t feel all that bad about it. I need real help. Actual

employees. Not my ex-husband stacking dishes in the back. I doubt he’s cleaned a dish in his life.

“I just don’t think you have the time.”

“I know what I have time for and what I don’t,” he answers. “And I’m no stranger to hard work.”

“Well, Ethan and I are going over everything at the restaurant tomorrow. So, if you still want to help,

you can show up sometime in the morning.” I don’t expect him to show up at all. “Fine,” he says,

leaning back in his chair with a self-satisfied smile. “Then I’ll see you there.”

Ethan watches me finish my second coffee of the morning, a look of concern on his face. After last

night’s debacle, I’m both hungover and exhausted. By the time I went to bed, I had maybe four hours of

uninterrupted sleep before I had to wake up and drag myself over here.

If this headache isn’t a sign that I shouldn’t drink that much ever again, then I don’t know what is.

“We need to get up and running before those negative reviews have time to fester,” I say.

The most important thing is that I get ahead of the competition. I can’t disappear completely, and just

recede into the background. If I’m going to maintain my position as a must-go spot, then I need to

reopen immediately.

made Ethan my new restaurant manager on the spot, a promotion

While he doesn’t have a ton of experience yet, he’s loyal, and I value

Especially after what happened with

faith he’ll step up to the task. He’s

the most hardworking employees

him sometimes, but it hasn’t slowed him down

and he seems to work around the

will be easier for him. If I can even

is.

is getting new people,” he says.

started by taking stock of the

sweat. If I don’t hire new people soon, I’m

need to hire staff on an expedited basis,” I say, turning to

I quickly post it online. “Even if some people don’t last, at least we’ll have

need to be

“I agree.”

desk taking reservations and greeting

chef. If we can get a few good waiters and a decent bartender, then

“Exactly.”

at the front door, and Ethan gives me

when I see him start to

sinks back into his chair. I cross the restaurant

His business suit looks freshly pressed, and he’s carrying

two coffees on it.

says, handing

remembered Ethan’s name. He’s always

It’s partly what makes him a good Alpha. He remembers people even if he’s

people who work for him, and the

and he slips past me into the restaurant. I lock the

to face him. I don’t

looking around at the desolate room.

reply, and he picks it

away, and I give him his privacy. I can still hear his end of the conversation, but

pretend like I’m

time to take on another job right now,” he says. There’s a muffled response

I still don’t have the time. I’ll call you

I’m your boss. If I want your

My eyebrows shoot up.

He hangs up,

secretary?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. Her smug smile

mind. The memory of it makes

“Sounds like there’s something else you need to

his head. “There’s nothing

a waiter or even

a dinner rush? It’s not exactly fun work, and it’s not

have the time.” “I think you need to get your priorities

his coffee. Three in the span of a few hours probably

mine. I need