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.”

…

simple yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting with everyone. Her joy

happy makes every ounce of

survey the room from behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at my lips. But amid the

eyes catch

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

and a mixture of

delicious food wafts through the air

tails,

lands on the table, Chloe’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning. She claps

and squeals

od, Abby, you made my

please,” I reply, sharing a

to say, I have the best

locking eyes with each of us, “you two are the best anyone could ask

and fabulous

and for a moment, all

her eyes scanning the room.

grab my phone and start fiddling with it, trying to find

prop it against a glass, angling it

slips, tips over, or just gives a

to work, is it?” Chloe notes,

on Karl, who’s leaning against the wall, sipping his

Karl.”

up?” he says, taking another sip of

picture

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

photo. A weird tension fills the air for a split

over a captivated audience.

a little animosity, a subtle standoff between

me uneasy.

in the picture,” I start

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

if he reads my thoughts. His face softens, and he puts down his

worries. I’d be happy to take the

lifts, replaced by a collective sense of relief that ripples through

announces, her excitement returning

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

connected through the thread of

getting into position. “Ready? One, two,

a room full of people who matter. He

for good measure before handing the phone back to

say softly, flipping through the pictures. They’re

in frozen

I think to

by my side, just like old days. I push the

tone casual but carrying a depth I can’t quite

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

step in and help, to be a

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

of this