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

seeing her this happy makes every ounce of effort

a contented smile tugging at my

my eyes catch a

nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment before

a mixture of emotions churns

of delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin to bring

mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails,

the food lands on the table, Chloe’s eyes light up like

and squeals with

od, Abby,

reply, sharing a knowing

“I just want to say, I have the best

of us, “you two are the best anyone

friendship and

clink, and for a moment, all is

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

and start fiddling with it, trying to find the perfect

against a glass, angling it just

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

it?” Chloe notes, sensing my

on Karl, who’s leaning against the

Karl.”

he says, taking another

the picture

demanding, as though daring him not to

A weird tension fills the air for a split second, like

over a captivated audience.

little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and

me uneasy.

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

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

my thoughts. His face softens,

worries. I’d be happy

tension lifts, replaced by a collective sense

Everyone, gather around!” Chloe announces, her excitement returning in

chefs, servers, friends, and family,

through the

the phone, getting into position. “Ready? One,

and a room full of people who matter. He takes a

before handing the

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

in frozen snippets

for a moment, I think to myself

I push

he replies, his tone casual but carrying a depth I can’t quite

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

willingness to step in and help, to be a part of this moment in his own

feeling that

part of