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.”

…

radiant in a simple yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting with everyone. Her joy

her this happy makes

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

catch a familiar

Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment

and a mixture of emotions churns within

delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin to

with mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes, rice

table, Chloe’s eyes light

and squeals

my G od, Abby, you

please,” I reply,

say, I have the best

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

and

a moment,

her eyes scanning the room. “I

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

against a glass, angling it

attempts—it slips, tips over, or just gives a skewed

not going to work, is it?” Chloe notes,

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

Karl.”

taking

the picture

demanding, as though daring him not

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

over a captivated audience.

me, but I sense a little animosity, a subtle

me uneasy.

I start to say, not wanting Karl to feel left out.

of this night. And he’s helped

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

happy to

collective sense of relief that

Chloe announces, her excitement returning in full

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

the thread of this very

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

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

for good measure before handing the phone back to

flipping through the pictures. They’re perfect,

in frozen snippets

something missing, and for a moment, I think to myself that

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

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

moves back to his original spot, my heart

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

at the same time, I can’t shake the feeling that he should have been in those pictures too.

be part of