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.”

…

elegant dress, floats around, chatting with everyone. Her joy is

this happy makes every ounce

from behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at

eyes catch a

his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting

mixture of emotions churns

delicious food wafts through the

tails, crab cakes, rice

the table, Chloe’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning.

together and

Abby, you

chef aims to please,” I reply, sharing a knowing

up, raising her glass. “I just want to say, I have the best friends in the entire world.

locking eyes with each of us, “you two are

and

a moment,

Chloe declares, her eyes scanning

to find the

it against a glass,

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

not going to work, is it?” Chloe notes, sensing my minor

on Karl, who’s leaning against

Karl.”

says, taking another

picture

as though daring him not to

him in her photo. A weird tension fills the air for a split

over a captivated audience.

just me, but I sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff between

me uneasy.

the picture,” I start to say, not wanting Karl to feel left out.

this night.

as if he reads my thoughts. His face softens,

be happy

a collective sense of relief that

announces, her excitement returning

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

through the thread of this

phone, getting into position. “Ready? One, two,

flash goes off, capturing smiles, joy, and a room full of people who matter.

good measure before handing the phone

through the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing the

frozen snippets

for a moment, I think to myself that the picture

days. I push the thought away, though, and

replies, his tone casual but carrying a depth I can’t

my heart twinges

help, to

feeling that he should have

be part of this memory we’ve