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

this happy makes every ounce

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

my eyes catch

the far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock

mixture of emotions

smell of delicious food wafts through the air as waiters

with mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes,

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

and

Abby,

chef aims to please,” I reply, sharing

stands up, raising her glass. “I just want to say, I have the

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

and

clink, and for a moment, all

scanning the room.

it, trying to find the perfect spot where

prop it against a glass, angling

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

to work, is it?”

can answer, her eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning against the

Karl.”

he says, taking another sip of

picture

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

photo. A weird tension

over a captivated audience.

animosity,

me uneasy.

everyone should be in the picture,” I start

the team, part of this night.

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

be happy to take the

collective sense of

Chloe announces, her excitement

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

story but connected through the

phone, getting into position. “Ready?

capturing smiles, joy, and a room full of people who matter. He takes a couple

measure before handing the phone

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

in frozen snippets

for a moment, I

I push the thought away, though, and offer

but carrying a depth I can’t quite

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

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

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

be part of this memory we’ve