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

her this happy makes every ounce of effort

bar, a contented smile tugging at

catch a familiar

against the far wall, nursing his drink. Our

a mixture of emotions churns

wafts through the air as waiters

lobster tails,

lands on the table, Chloe’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning. She claps

and

my G od, Abby, you made my

I reply, sharing a knowing smile with

her glass. “I just want to say, I have the

of us, “you two are the best anyone could

friendship and fabulous

a moment, all is

scanning the room. “I want a picture with

trying to find the perfect spot where we can all fit in

it against a glass,

attempts—it slips, tips over, or

work, is it?” Chloe notes, sensing my minor

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

Karl.”

up?” he says, taking another sip

picture

somewhat demanding, as though daring him not to take

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

over a captivated audience.

a little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and Karl

me uneasy.

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

team, part of this

it’s as if he reads my thoughts.

be happy to

replaced by a collective sense of relief

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

huddle together, a motley crew of chefs, servers,

but connected through the thread

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

off, capturing smiles, joy, and a room full

good measure before handing the phone back

the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing the essence

in frozen snippets of

I think to myself that the picture

days. I push the thought away, though, and offer Karl a

tone casual but carrying a

his original spot, my heart twinges with a mixture of

in and help, to be a part of this moment

the feeling that he should have been in those

of this