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?”

fixed on my flustered expression. “I

busy—”

her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr.

back?” I hang up without

her curiosity evident. “Who was

shrug, trying to push down the guilt. “Oh, just a

you need?”

unconvinced, but she proceeds with her query about the bar. As we talk,

desk, scanning the various notes and lists. Her eyes

out from under a pile of papers—the design

asks,

stuff it into

get when I’m brainstorming.”

squints, clearly skeptical but doesn’t press further. “Alright. Well,

smirks, retreating from

behind her, I sink into my chair, heart pounding. I pull out

The close calls are

Chloe discovering everything grows

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

single detail could potentially blow

bag and start stowing away

I’ll have to stay late, work in the

walking in on me.

I steel myself for the long night ahead.

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

…

my cluttered office, I sit hunched over a desk piled high with sc ttered

and a

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

wall informs me that it’s past midnight, but sleep is a distant luxury, and Chloe’s upcoming

heavy on

staff,

clatter from the kitchen.

framed picture of Chloe and me rests beside my workstation,

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

atmosphere of

reality when a

the wooden floor. I retrieve it, my fingers brushing against

Chloe after one of her overseas trips. Everything in

on the list

her favorite shade of sea blue… Every detail

a tangible weight

surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that happen again.

twenty-fifth birthday, so it’s a bit of a milestone. I

echoes from the

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

of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward

the ambient lighting from overhead

call out as I approach the

wiping his hands on

looking surprised to see me. The

dark hair stand out even