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.”

…

dress, floats around, chatting with everyone.

happy makes

from behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at my

catch

leans against the far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock

and a mixture of emotions

delicious food wafts through

tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf and

table, Chloe’s eyes light

together and squeals with

my G od, Abby, you made my

aims to please,” I reply, sharing a knowing

just want to say, I have

locking eyes with each of us, “you two are the

friendship and

clink, and for a moment, all is

declares, her eyes scanning the room. “I

find the

a glass, angling it just

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

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

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

Karl.”

he says, taking another

the picture for

somewhat demanding, as though daring him not to take

photo. A weird tension fills

over a captivated audience.

sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff between

me uneasy.

start to

part of this night.

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

be happy to take the

tension lifts, replaced by a collective sense of relief

around!” Chloe announces,

together, a motley crew of chefs, servers, friends, and family, each

through the thread

grabs the phone, getting into

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

for good measure before handing the

flipping through the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing

frozen

something missing, and for a moment, I think

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

he replies, his tone casual but carrying a depth

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

for his willingness to step in and help, to

shake the feeling that he should

of