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,

her this happy makes every ounce of effort

bar, a contented

catch

his drink. Our eyes lock for

and a mixture of emotions churns

delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin to

lobster tails, crab

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

together and squeals

G od, Abby, you made

reply,

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

with each of us, “you two are

friendship and

moment, all is right

eyes scanning the room. “I

phone and start fiddling with it, trying to find the

prop it against a glass, angling

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

is it?” Chloe notes, sensing my minor

eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning against the wall,

Karl.”

says, taking another sip of

the picture

are somewhat demanding, as though daring him

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

over a captivated audience.

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

me uneasy.

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

part of this night.

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

happy to

replaced by a collective sense of

Chloe announces, her excitement returning in

crew of chefs, servers, friends, and family,

through the

the phone, getting into position. “Ready?

smiles, joy, and a room full of

for good measure before handing the

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

frozen snippets

a moment, I think to myself that the

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

casual but carrying a depth

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

willingness to step in and help, to be a part

time, I can’t shake the feeling that he should have been in those

part of this memory