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.”

…

elegant dress, floats around, chatting with everyone.

happy makes every ounce of

a contented

my eyes catch

far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock

a mixture of emotions

through the air as waiters begin

tails, crab cakes,

food lands on the table, Chloe’s eyes light

together and

G od, Abby, you made my

to please,” I reply, sharing a knowing smile

“I just want to say, I have the best friends in the entire

room, locking eyes with each of

friendship and fabulous

clink, and for a moment, all is

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

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

a glass, angling it just

tips over, or just gives a skewed angle—I sigh

is it?” Chloe notes,

eyes land on Karl, who’s

Karl.”

says, taking another sip of

picture for

somewhat demanding, as though daring him not to

tension

over a captivated audience.

a little animosity, a

me uneasy.

start to say, not wanting Karl to

he’s a part of the team, part of this

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

be happy to take

lifts, replaced by a collective sense of relief that ripples through

Chloe announces, her excitement returning in full

chefs, servers,

but connected through the thread of

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

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

before handing

through the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing the essence

in frozen snippets

moment, I think to myself that the picture feels terribly

like old days. I push the thought away, though, and offer

he replies, his tone casual but carrying a

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

in and help, to be a part of this moment in his own

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

part of