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?”

“I had

busy—”

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

back?” I hang up without waiting for

eyes, her curiosity evident.

shrug, trying to push down the guilt.

you need?”

unconvinced, but she proceeds with her query about the bar. As we talk, I can’t help

notes and

from under a pile of papers—the design for her

she asks, pointing at

thinking, I grab the paper and stuff it into my pocket. “Oh, just some

get when I’m brainstorming.”

but doesn’t press further. “Alright. Well, I’ll leave

smirks, retreating from

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

The close calls

Chloe discovering everything grows with each

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

around. Every single detail could

grab my bag and start stowing away the various party-planning

off this surprise, I’ll have to stay late, work in the quiet hours when

walking in on me.

steel myself for the long

her birthday, it’ll

…

of my cluttered office, I sit hunched over a desk

a half-finished

hum of the overhead light is the only sound accompanying my scribbles. The large clock

midnight, but sleep

heavy on my

usually abuzz with patrons and staff,

clatter from the kitchen.

picture of Chloe and me rests beside my workstation, our grinning faces

warmth and laughter from that day feels

atmosphere of my

my thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops from the heap,

the wooden floor. I retrieve it, my fingers brushing

trips. Everything in this room reminds me of her in some

gaze away, I refocus on the list of party essentials. String lights,

blue… Every detail

becomes a tangible weight

together, the surprise was spoiled. I won’t

so it’s a bit of a milestone. I want

the kitchen, followed

piqued, I stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity.

the smell of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s aged

the ambient

out as I approach

wiping his

me,” he responds, looking surprised to see me.

his tanned skin and dark hair