Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 56: Pity Party
The restaurant buzzes with an energy that I haven’t felt in a long while. Streamers hang from the

ceiling, twi nkling fairy lights wrap around the bar, and the laughter of friends and colleagues fills the air.

Tonight is more than just another party; it’s a celebration of someone I hold dear, and I can’t help but

get swept up in the excitement.

“So,” Ethan says as we complete the finishing touches on some balloons. Leah is on her way with

Chloe, who thinks that it’s just going to be the three of us girls going out for drinks. She has no idea.

“You hear anything yet about the cook-off?”

Instinctively, I lower my voice and shoot Ethan a wary look. Karl is floating around here somewhere,

and I haven’t mentioned the cook-off to him yet.

I’m not entirely sure why, other than the fact that I did promise that I would go to the Alpha party with

him, and potentially catering it would get in the way of that.

“Not yet,” I answer as I tie an intricate knot on one of the bundles of balloons. “Still waiting to get the

details.”

“Well, either way, I’m excited for you,” Ethan says gently. His leg seems to be hurting him, and he takes

a moment to lean on the bar. “If you need any help, let me know.”

I can’t help but smile. Ethan has always been one of my most faithful employees, and I’m glad to have

made him the new restaurant manager. He deserves it.

“Thanks, Ethan.”

Just then, a voice cuts through the room.

“Everyone get ready! Chloe is coming!”

In an instant, the room falls into a hush. People dart behind tables, the lights go off, and Ethan and I

duck down behind the bar with smirks on our faces. I can hear the sound of the door opening, followed

by Chloe’s confused voice.

“What the hell? Why is it so dark in here?”

The lights flick on. Everyone jumps out from their hiding places, yelling “Surprise!” at the top of our

lungs. Chloe gasps and claps her hand over her mouth.

“You guys!” she shrieks, spotting me and closing the distance between us to throw her arms around my

neck. “This is so nice!”

“It’s the least we could do,” I say into her ear, hugging her tight. “Happy birthday, Chlo.”

…

yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting with

her this happy makes every

behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at my lips. But amid the

catch a familiar

his drink. Our eyes lock for a

mixture of emotions churns within

wafts through the air as waiters begin to

with mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes,

Chloe’s eyes light up like a

and

my G od, Abby, you

to please,” I reply, sharing

say, I have the best friends

of us, “you two are the best

and fabulous

for a moment, all is right

this,” Chloe declares, her eyes scanning

it, trying to find the perfect spot

a

after a few failed attempts—it slips, tips over, or just gives

work, is it?” Chloe notes, sensing

eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning against the wall, sipping his

Karl.”

he says, taking another sip

picture for

though daring him

photo. A weird tension fills the air for a split

over a captivated audience.

I sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe

me uneasy.

I start to say, not wanting Karl to

of the team, part of this night. And

and it’s as if he reads my thoughts. His face softens, and he puts down his

happy to

tension lifts, replaced by a collective sense

announces, her

crew of chefs, servers, friends, and family, each one of us

through the thread of this very

grabs the phone, getting into position. “Ready? One,

smiles, joy, and a room full of people who matter. He takes

before handing the phone back to

softly, flipping through the pictures. They’re

frozen snippets of

there’s something missing, and for a moment, I think to myself that

my side, just like old days. I push the thought away, though, and offer Karl

his tone casual but carrying a

original spot, my heart twinges with a

to step in and help, to be a part of this moment in his

feeling that

of