Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 49: Up Late
Abby

The morning sun bathes my office in a gentle glow as I dial Leah’s number, eager to discuss Chloe’s

upcoming birthday.

The phone rings a few times before Leah’s raspy voice picks up on the other end.

“Abby? That you?”

“Leah, hey,” I greet, trying to hide my concern. “You sound terrible. What’s up?”

She lets out a congested laugh. “Caught a nasty cold. I’m in bed, sipping on some horrid chicken soup.

Can’t believe I’m missing all the action.”

“That’s terrible,” I answer. “I was hoping you could help with Chloe’s party prep.”

A pause ensues, and I hear Leah sigh. “I wish I could, Abby. I had so many ideas, but right now I can

barely lift my head off the pillow.”

I let out a quiet chuckle, trying to keep the mood light. “Don’t worry about it. Just rest up and get better,

okay? We’ll need you at the party in top form.”

“What about the cake? I know you were keen on baking Chloe’s favorite, the red velvet one.”

“I’ve got it covered,” I assure her. “And the party details too. It’s a lot, but I can handle it.”

“You sure?” Leah sounds skeptical.

“It’s no big deal,” I reply, although a nagging feeling at the back of my mind suggests otherwise.

“Alright, if you say so. Just promise you won’t burn out.”

“I promise,” I say, although the weight of responsibility is already settling in my chest. “Oh, and I’ll be

over later to bring you some chicken soup that’s not horrid, okay?”

After ending the call, I immediately switch tasks, reaching for my phone again to book a karaoke place

for the party.

The man on the other end, Mr. Lin, sounds elderly, his voice raspy but jovial.

“Lin’s Karaoke. How can I help you?”

“Hello, Mr. Lin, I’d like to rent one of your rooms for a private party,” I begin, but before I can finish, the

door to my office swings open, revealing Chloe, looking puzzled.

“Abby, do you have a minute?” she asks, her eyes darting to the various party notes strewn across my

desk.

“Um,” I falter, my attention divided between Chloe and Mr. Lin. “Just a sec,” I tell him and turn my

attention to Chloe. “What’s up?”

expression. “I had a

busy—”

her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin, “I’m sorry,

up without waiting for

her eyes, her curiosity evident.

the guilt. “Oh, just a

you need?”

looks unconvinced, but she proceeds with her query about

various notes and lists.

a pile of papers—the design for her birthday

asks, pointing at

paper and stuff it into my pocket.

get when I’m brainstorming.”

further. “Alright. Well, I’ll

She smirks, retreating from

her, I sink into my chair, heart pounding. I pull out the cake sketch,

perfecting. The close calls are

discovering everything grows with each

out a deep sigh, I consider my options. There’s no way

with Chloe around. Every single detail could potentially

and start stowing away the

late, work in the quiet hours

walking in on me.

at the darkening sky outside, I steel myself for the long

Chloe’s smile on her birthday, it’ll be

…

office, I sit hunched over

a half-finished cake

the only sound accompanying my scribbles. The large

informs me that it’s past midnight, but sleep is

heavy on

staff, feels eerily quiet now, save for

clatter from the kitchen.

of Chloe and me rests beside my workstation,

day at a music festival. The warmth and laughter from that day feels a world apart

atmosphere of

my thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality when

wooden floor. I retrieve it, my fingers brushing

Everything in this room

I refocus on the list of party essentials. String lights, floral centerpieces,

her favorite shade of sea blue… Every detail

a tangible weight on my

celebrated together, the surprise was

it’s a bit of a milestone. I want

echoes from the kitchen, followed

protesting from

wafts toward me. The restaurant’s aged wooden

reflect the ambient lighting from

I approach the kitchen, spotting

wiping his

me,” he responds, looking surprised to see me. The stainless-steel backdrop of

skin and dark hair stand out