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.”

…

yet elegant dress, floats

seeing her this happy makes

the bar, a contented smile tugging at

eyes catch a familiar

wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes

and a mixture of emotions

wafts through

mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab

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

and squeals with

od, Abby, you made my

aims to please,” I reply,

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

scans the room, locking eyes with each of

friendship and

and for a moment,

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

my phone and start fiddling with it, trying to find the perfect spot where we

prop it against a glass, angling

after a few failed attempts—it slips, tips over, or just gives a

is it?” Chloe notes, sensing

can answer, her eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning against the wall, sipping his drink.

Karl.”

he says, taking another sip

the picture

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

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

over a captivated audience.

little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and Karl

me uneasy.

be in the picture,” I start to say, not wanting

team, part of this

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

I’d be happy to take the

collective sense of relief that ripples through

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

chefs, servers, friends, and family,

the thread of this very

phone, getting into position.

joy, and a room

measure before handing

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

frozen

I think to myself that the picture

old days. I push the thought away,

his tone casual but carrying a depth I

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

help, to be a part of this

feeling that he should have been in

be part of this memory