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

her this happy makes every ounce of effort worth

bar, a contented smile tugging

my eyes catch

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

mixture of emotions churns

enough, the smell of delicious food wafts through

dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes,

Chloe’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning.

together and

my G od, Abby, you made

I reply, sharing

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

each of us, “you two are the best

friendship and

clink, and for a moment,

Chloe declares, her eyes scanning the room. “I want a picture with

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

prop it against a glass, angling it

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

to work, is it?” Chloe

eyes land on Karl, who’s

Karl.”

taking

the picture for

daring him not to

her photo. A weird tension fills the air for a split

over a captivated audience.

I sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff

me uneasy.

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

team, part of this night. And

reads my thoughts. His face softens,

happy

replaced by a collective sense

announces, her excitement

servers, friends, and family, each one of us

story but connected through the thread of this

getting into position. “Ready? One, two,

and a room full of people who

before handing the phone

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

in frozen snippets

for a moment, I think to myself that the picture feels

days. I push the thought

he replies, his tone casual but carrying

my heart twinges with a mixture of gratitude and guilt.

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

can’t shake the feeling that he should have

part of