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 with everyone.

seeing her this happy makes

from behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at my lips. But amid

eyes catch a familiar

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

a mixture of emotions churns

through the

tails,

light up like a kid on Christmas morning.

and squeals

G od, Abby,

chef aims to please,” I reply, sharing a knowing smile with

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

she scans the room, locking eyes with each of us, “you two are the best anyone could ask

friendship and

and for a moment, all is

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

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

a glass, angling

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

going to work, is it?” Chloe notes, sensing

Karl, who’s leaning

Karl.”

taking another

the picture for

demanding, as though daring him not

want him in her photo. A weird tension fills the air for a

over a captivated audience.

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

me uneasy.

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

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

if he reads my thoughts. His face

I’d be happy

replaced by a collective sense of relief that ripples

announces, her excitement

servers, friends, and family, each

connected through the thread of this

grabs the phone, getting into position. “Ready?

off, capturing smiles, joy, and a room full of people

handing the phone

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

in frozen

missing, and for a moment, I

my side, just like old days. I push the thought away, though, and offer Karl a stiff

his tone casual but carrying a

my heart twinges with a

help, to be a part of this moment in

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

part of this memory