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. Her joy

makes every ounce of

contented smile tugging at my lips. But amid

my eyes catch a

the far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock

and a mixture of emotions churns

food wafts through

mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab

light up like a kid

together and squeals with

G od, Abby,

to please,” I reply, sharing a knowing smile

stands up, raising her glass. “I just want to say, I have the best friends in the entire

of us, “you two are the best

friendship and

clink, and for a moment, all is right with the

her eyes scanning the room. “I

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

against a glass, angling it just

tips over, or just gives a

to work, is it?” Chloe

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

Karl.”

says, taking another sip of his

the picture

him not

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

over a captivated audience.

me, but I sense a little animosity, a

me uneasy.

should be in the picture,” I start to say, not wanting

of this night. And he’s helped me immensely with

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

worries. I’d be happy to

collective sense of relief that ripples through

announces, her excitement returning in full

a motley crew of chefs, servers, friends, and family, each one of us

the thread

grabs the phone, getting into position. “Ready?

and a room full of people who matter.

handing

I say softly, flipping through the pictures. They’re perfect,

in frozen

and for a moment, I think to myself that

push the thought

casual but carrying a depth

my heart twinges with a mixture of

for his willingness to step in and help, to be a

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

of this