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, chatting

makes every ounce of effort worth

bar, a contented smile tugging at my

my eyes catch a familiar

Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment before he

and a mixture of emotions churns within

through the air as waiters begin to

dishes: lobster tails, crab

Chloe’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas

together and

Abby, you made

please,” I reply, sharing

to say, I

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

friendship and fabulous

moment, all is right with the

declares, her eyes scanning the room. “I want a

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

it against a glass,

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

going to work, is it?” Chloe notes,

land on Karl, who’s leaning against the wall, sipping his

Karl.”

taking

the picture for

as though daring him

tension fills the air for a split second, like a

over a captivated audience.

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

me uneasy.

the picture,” I start to say, not wanting Karl

team, part of this night. And he’s helped

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

worries. I’d be happy to take the

lifts, replaced by a collective sense of

Chloe announces,

chefs, servers,

but connected through the thread of this

phone, getting into position.

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

for good measure before handing the phone back to

the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing

in frozen

missing, and for a moment, I think to

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

tone casual but carrying a depth

original spot, my heart twinges

willingness to step in and help, to be a part of

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

part of this memory