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

happy makes every

contented smile tugging at my lips.

catch a familiar

his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment before

of emotions churns

the smell of delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin to

tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf

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

together and squeals

G od, Abby, you

aims to please,” I reply,

want to say,

the room, locking eyes with each of us, “you two are

friendship and fabulous

for a moment, all is

her eyes scanning the room. “I want

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

a

slips, tips over,

work, is it?” Chloe notes,

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

Karl.”

he says, taking another sip of

the picture for

somewhat demanding, as though daring him not

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

over a captivated audience.

just me, but I sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and

me uneasy.

picture,” I start to say, not wanting Karl to feel left out.

a part of the team, part of this night. And

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

happy to take the

lifts, replaced by a collective sense

announces, her excitement returning in full

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

the thread of this very

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

a room full of people who matter. He

good measure before handing the phone back to

through the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing the

frozen snippets

for a moment, I think to myself that the

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

his tone casual but carrying a depth I can’t

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

to be a part of this moment in his

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

of this memory we’ve