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.”

…

simple yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting with everyone. Her

seeing her this happy makes

survey the room from behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at my lips. But amid the thrum

my eyes catch

Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment before

a mixture of emotions churns within

smell of delicious food wafts through the air as

mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes,

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

together and squeals with

od, Abby,

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

to say, I

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

and

clink, and for a moment, all is

eyes scanning the room. “I want a picture with

to find

it against a glass,

failed attempts—it slips, tips over, or just gives a skewed angle—I sigh

going to work, is it?” Chloe

answer, her eyes land on Karl,

Karl.”

he says, taking another sip of

the picture

as though daring him not to

A weird tension fills the air for a split

over a captivated audience.

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

me uneasy.

the picture,” I start to say, not

he’s a part of the team, part of this night. And he’s helped me immensely with

eyes, and it’s as if he reads my thoughts. His face

happy

lifts, replaced by a collective sense of relief that ripples

Chloe announces, her excitement returning in full

chefs, servers, friends, and family, each one

but connected through the thread

getting into position.

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

for good measure before handing the

through the pictures. They’re

in frozen snippets

moment, I think to myself that

just like old days. I push the thought away, though,

casual but carrying a depth I can’t

my heart twinges with a mixture of

in and help, to be a part of this moment

at the same time, I can’t shake the feeling

be part of this memory we’ve