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.”

…

in a simple yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting with

happy makes every ounce

the bar, a contented

catch a familiar

against the far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment before

a mixture of

of delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin

dishes: lobster tails, crab

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

together and squeals with

my G od, Abby,

reply, sharing a

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

the room, locking eyes with each of us, “you two are the best

friendship and

clink, and for a moment, all

should capture this,” Chloe declares, her eyes scanning the room. “I want

trying to find the perfect spot where we

a glass, angling it just

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

is it?” Chloe notes,

can answer, her eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning

Karl.”

says, taking another

picture

as though daring him not to take the photo,

weird tension fills the

over a captivated audience.

me, but I sense a little animosity,

me uneasy.

I start to say, not wanting Karl to feel left

of this night. And he’s helped me immensely

if he reads my thoughts. His face softens, and he puts down

I’d be happy to take the

replaced by a collective sense of relief that

Chloe announces, her excitement returning in full

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

the thread of this

phone, getting into position.

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

for good measure before handing the phone

the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing

in frozen

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

like old days. I push the

tone casual but carrying a depth I

spot, my heart twinges with

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

time, I can’t shake the feeling that he

be part of