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.”

…

a simple yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting

this happy makes every ounce of

contented smile tugging at my lips. But amid the thrum

eyes catch

the far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting

mixture of emotions churns within

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

dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf

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

and squeals with

G od, Abby, you made my

please,” I reply, sharing a knowing

“I just want to say, I have the best friends in the entire

each of us, “you two are the best anyone

friendship and fabulous

and for a moment, all is

capture this,” Chloe declares, her eyes scanning the room. “I want a picture with

find the perfect spot where

it against a glass,

tips over, or just gives a skewed angle—I sigh in

is it?” Chloe notes, sensing my

I can answer, her eyes land on Karl, who’s

Karl.”

says, taking another sip

picture

him not to take

him in her photo. A weird tension fills the

over a captivated audience.

a little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and Karl that

me uneasy.

start to say, not wanting Karl to feel left

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

he reads my thoughts. His face

happy to take the

sense of relief that ripples through

gather around!” Chloe announces, her excitement returning in

chefs, servers, friends, and family, each

through the

the phone, getting into position. “Ready?

goes off, capturing smiles, joy, and a room

handing the

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

frozen

a moment, I think to myself that the picture feels terribly

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

replies, his tone casual but carrying a depth

original spot, my heart twinges with a mixture of gratitude

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

I can’t shake the feeling

part of