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. Her joy

happy makes every

a contented smile tugging at my lips.

eyes catch a

the far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment before he

and a mixture of emotions

wafts through the air

lobster tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf

eyes light up like a kid on Christmas

together and

G od, Abby, you made my

chef aims to please,” I reply, sharing a

glass. “I just want to say, I have

each of us, “you two are

friendship and fabulous

clink, and for a moment, all

should capture this,” Chloe declares, her eyes scanning the room. “I want a

grab my 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

is it?”

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

Karl.”

says, taking another

picture for

somewhat demanding, as though daring him not to take

photo. A weird tension fills the air for a split

over a captivated audience.

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

me uneasy.

everyone should be in the picture,” I start to say,

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

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

happy

tension lifts, replaced by a collective sense of relief

gather around!” Chloe announces, her

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

story but connected through the thread of this very

phone, getting into

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

good measure before handing the phone back

the pictures. They’re

frozen snippets of

and for a moment, I think to myself that

by my side, just like old days. I push the thought away,

tone casual but carrying a depth I

my heart twinges with a

to be a part of this

can’t shake the feeling

part of this memory we’ve