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.”

…

dress, floats around, chatting

makes every ounce of effort worth

behind the bar, a contented smile tugging

my eyes catch a familiar

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

of emotions churns within

food wafts through the air as waiters

mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf

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

and squeals

G od, Abby, you made

aims to please,” I reply,

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

locking eyes with each of us,

and fabulous

for a moment, all is

Chloe declares, her eyes scanning the

grab my phone and start fiddling with it, trying to find the

it against a

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

it?” Chloe

eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning against the wall, sipping his

Karl.”

says, taking

the picture

him not to

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

over a captivated audience.

I sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe

me uneasy.

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

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

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

happy to

tension lifts, replaced by a collective sense of relief that

gather around!” Chloe announces,

together, a motley crew of chefs, servers, friends, and family, each one of us

the

getting into position. “Ready? One, two,

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

for good measure before handing

Karl,” I say softly, flipping through the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing the essence

in frozen

there’s something missing, and for a moment, I think to myself that the

old days. I push the

but carrying a depth

his original spot, my heart twinges with a mixture of gratitude

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

same time, I can’t shake the feeling

part of