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.”

…

simple yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting with everyone. Her joy is

her this happy makes every

bar, a contented smile tugging at my

catch

his drink. Our eyes lock

of emotions churns within

food wafts through

tails, crab cakes, rice

eyes light up like a kid on

and squeals with

G od, Abby, you

reply, sharing

just want to say, I have the best friends in

she scans the room, locking eyes with each of us, “you

and fabulous

for a moment, all is right

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

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

it against a

after a few failed attempts—it slips, tips over, or just gives a skewed angle—I sigh

is it?” Chloe notes,

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

Karl.”

up?” he says, taking another sip

the picture for

are somewhat demanding, as though daring him not to take the photo,

photo. A weird tension fills the air for a

over a captivated audience.

little animosity,

me uneasy.

I start

the team, part of this

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

worries. I’d be happy to

replaced by a collective sense of relief that ripples

around!” Chloe announces, her excitement

together, a motley crew of chefs, servers, friends,

the thread of this very

into position. “Ready? One,

joy, and a room

for good measure before handing

the

frozen snippets

moment, I think to myself that the picture

like old days. I push the thought away, though, and offer

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

original spot, my heart twinges

to be a part of this moment in

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

of this memory we’ve