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 this happy makes every

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

eyes catch a familiar

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

of

of delicious food wafts through the

with mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails,

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

together and

Abby,

please,” I reply, sharing

say, I have the best friends in the entire world.

each of us, “you two are the best anyone could ask

and fabulous

moment, all is

scanning

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

against a glass, angling

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

work, is it?” Chloe notes, sensing my minor

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

Karl.”

taking another sip of his

picture for

though daring him not to take

A weird tension fills the air for a split second, like a hush

over a captivated audience.

animosity, a subtle standoff

me uneasy.

I start to say, not wanting Karl

of this

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

I’d be happy to take the

by a collective sense of relief that ripples

around!” Chloe announces,

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

the thread of this very

phone, getting into position.

joy, and a room

for good measure before handing the phone

through the pictures. They’re perfect,

in frozen snippets of

and for a moment, I think to

old days. I push the thought away, though, and offer Karl a stiff

casual but carrying a depth I can’t

heart twinges

his willingness to step in and help, to be a

the feeling that he should have been in

be part of this memory we’ve