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 is

this happy makes every ounce of

contented smile tugging at my

my eyes catch a

his drink. Our eyes lock for a

of emotions churns within

smell of delicious food wafts through the air as waiters

dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf

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

together and

G od, Abby, you made

chef aims to please,” I reply, sharing

raising her glass. “I just want to say,

with each of us, “you two

and

moment, all is right with the

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

find the perfect

it against a

over, or just gives a

work, is it?” Chloe

can answer, her eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning against

Karl.”

says, taking another sip

picture

daring him not to take

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

over a captivated audience.

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

me uneasy.

be in the picture,” I start

of the team, part of this night. And

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

I’d be happy

a collective sense of relief that ripples through

gather around!” Chloe announces, her excitement returning in

of chefs, servers, friends, and family, each one of us with

the thread

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

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

for good measure before handing the phone back to

softly, flipping through the pictures. They’re

frozen snippets of

something missing, and for a moment, I think to myself that the picture

like old days. I push

but carrying a depth I can’t quite

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

help, to be a part

time, I can’t shake the feeling that he should have

be part of this