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 around, chatting with everyone. Her

makes every ounce of effort

from behind the bar, a contented smile

eyes catch a familiar

his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment

a mixture of emotions

delicious food wafts through the air as waiters

dishes: lobster tails,

the table, Chloe’s eyes light up like

and squeals with

my G od, Abby, you made

chef aims to please,” I reply, sharing

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

of us, “you two are the

friendship and fabulous

moment, all is right with

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

fiddling with it, trying to find the perfect spot where we can all fit

prop it against a

attempts—it slips, tips over, or just

going to work, is it?” Chloe notes, sensing my

can answer, her eyes land on Karl,

Karl.”

he says, taking another sip

the picture

words are somewhat demanding, as though daring him not

she doesn’t want him in her photo. A weird tension fills the air for a split second, like a

over a captivated audience.

little animosity, a subtle standoff

me uneasy.

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

this night.

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

be happy to take

collective sense

announces,

chefs, servers, friends, and

but connected through the thread

phone, getting into position. “Ready?

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

before handing the phone

I say softly, flipping through the pictures. They’re

in frozen snippets of

and for a moment, I think to myself that the picture feels

I push the thought away, though, and offer Karl a

his tone casual but carrying a depth I can’t

original spot, my heart twinges with a mixture of gratitude and

and help, to be a part of this moment in

shake the feeling that he should have been in those pictures too.

be part of this