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

this happy makes every ounce

from behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at my lips.

my eyes catch a familiar

far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment before he

of emotions

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

lobster tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf

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

and

G od, Abby, you made

aims to please,” I reply, sharing a knowing

want to say, I have the

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

and

a moment, all is right

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

with it, trying to find the perfect spot where we can

prop it against a glass, angling it

a few failed attempts—it slips, tips over,

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

her eyes land on Karl,

Karl.”

up?” he says, taking another sip

the picture

somewhat demanding, as though daring him not to take

weird tension fills the

over a captivated audience.

animosity, a

me uneasy.

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

he’s a part of the team, part of this

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

happy to take the

tension lifts, replaced by a collective sense of relief

announces, her excitement returning

of chefs, servers, friends, and family, each one of us

story but connected through the

getting into position.

smiles, joy, and a room full

good measure before handing the phone

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

frozen snippets of

missing, and for a moment, I think to

side, just like old days. I push the

problem,” he replies, his tone casual but

back to his original spot, my heart twinges with a mixture of gratitude

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

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

be part of this