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.”

…

yet elegant dress, floats

happy makes

room from behind the bar, a contented smile

my eyes catch a

Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment before he

and a mixture of

delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin

tails, crab

table, Chloe’s eyes light

together and

Abby, you made

reply, sharing

her glass. “I just want to say, I

locking eyes with each of us, “you

and fabulous

moment,

eyes scanning the room. “I want a

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

against a glass, angling

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

going to work, is it?” Chloe notes,

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

Karl.”

taking another sip of his

picture for

him

tension fills the air for a

over a captivated audience.

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

me uneasy.

I think everyone should be in the picture,” I start to say, not wanting Karl to feel left out.

of this night. And he’s

if he reads my

worries. I’d be happy

collective sense of relief

announces, her excitement returning

a motley crew of chefs, servers, friends, and family, each

but connected through the thread of this

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

a room full

for good measure before handing the

softly, flipping through the pictures.

frozen snippets of

something missing, and for a moment, I think

old days. I push the thought

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

to his original spot, my heart twinges with a mixture of

and help, to

shake the feeling that he should have been in

part of this memory