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.”

…

a simple yet elegant dress, floats

seeing her this happy makes every ounce of effort

contented smile tugging at my lips. But

my eyes catch a

Our eyes lock

a mixture of emotions churns within

of delicious food wafts through the

lobster tails, crab cakes,

eyes light up

and squeals with

od, Abby,

reply, sharing a knowing smile

glass. “I just want to say, I have the best friends in the entire

with each of us, “you

and

and for a moment,

declares, her eyes scanning the room.

grab my phone and start fiddling with it, trying to find the perfect spot where we can

against a glass, angling it just

attempts—it slips, tips over, or just gives a skewed

it?” Chloe notes,

eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning against

Karl.”

says, taking another sip

picture

though daring him not to take the photo, or subtly

photo. A weird tension fills the air for a split second,

over a captivated audience.

but I sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and Karl that

me uneasy.

should be in the picture,” I start

he’s a part of the team, part of this night. And he’s

my thoughts. His face softens, and

be happy

sense of

around!” Chloe announces, her excitement returning in

huddle together, a motley crew of chefs, servers, friends, and family,

story but connected through the thread of this very

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

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

before handing the

the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing

frozen snippets of

I think to myself that the picture feels terribly

push the

tone casual but carrying a

my heart twinges

to be a part of this moment

time, I can’t shake the feeling that

be part of