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 around, chatting with

makes

bar, a contented smile tugging at my lips.

eyes catch a

leans against the far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock

of emotions

delicious food wafts through the

dishes: lobster tails,

light up like a kid on Christmas

together and squeals

G od, Abby, you made my

to please,” I reply, sharing a

raising her glass. “I just want to say, I

of us, “you two are the

friendship and fabulous

moment, all

scanning the room. “I

with it, trying to find the perfect spot

it against a glass,

failed attempts—it slips, tips over,

it?” Chloe notes, sensing my minor

Karl, who’s leaning against the

Karl.”

up?” he says, taking

the picture for

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

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

over a captivated audience.

animosity, a

me uneasy.

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

he’s a part of the team, part of this night. And he’s

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

happy

replaced by a collective sense of

gather around!” Chloe announces, her excitement returning

servers,

but connected through the thread of

into position. “Ready?

joy, and a room full of

handing the phone back to

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

in frozen snippets

something missing, and for a moment, I think to myself that the picture feels terribly

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

casual but carrying a depth I

his original spot, my heart

in and help, to be a part of this

at the same time, I can’t shake the feeling that he should have been in those pictures too.

be part of this memory we’ve