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 with everyone. Her

seeing her this happy makes every ounce of effort worth

contented

eyes catch a familiar

wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for

of

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

mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf and

Chloe’s eyes light up

and squeals with

G od, Abby,

I reply, sharing a knowing

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

scans the room, locking eyes with each of us,

and

and for a moment, all is right with the

this,” Chloe declares, her eyes scanning the room.

to find the perfect spot where we can

a glass, angling it

failed attempts—it slips, tips over, or

going to work, is it?” Chloe notes, sensing

land on Karl, who’s leaning against the wall,

Karl.”

says, taking another

picture for

as though daring him not to take

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

over a captivated audience.

just me, but I sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff

me uneasy.

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

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

reads my thoughts. His face softens,

I’d be happy

collective sense

gather around!” Chloe announces, her

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

but connected through the thread of

into position. “Ready?

flash goes off, capturing smiles, joy, and a room full of people who

handing the phone back to

Karl,” I say softly, flipping through the

frozen

a moment, I think to myself that the picture

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

he replies, his tone casual but

heart twinges with a mixture of gratitude

help, to be a part of

the feeling that he should have

be part of this memory we’ve