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.”

…

elegant dress, floats around, chatting with everyone. Her joy is

her this happy makes

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

catch

nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for a

mixture of emotions

food wafts through the air as waiters begin to bring

tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf

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

and

G od, Abby, you made

chef aims to please,” I reply, sharing

say, I

she scans the room, locking eyes with each of us, “you two are the best anyone

friendship and

moment, all is right with the

her eyes scanning the room. “I want a

to find the perfect

prop it against a glass, angling

after a few failed attempts—it slips, tips over, or just gives a skewed

to work, is it?” Chloe

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

Karl.”

taking another sip

the picture

though daring him

her photo. A weird tension fills the air

over a captivated audience.

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

me uneasy.

start to say, not

this night. And he’s helped me immensely

if he reads my thoughts. His

happy to take

sense of

around!” Chloe announces, her excitement returning in full

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

connected through the thread

getting into position. “Ready? One,

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

handing the phone

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

in frozen snippets

a moment, I think

I push the thought away, though, and

he replies, his tone casual but carrying

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

help, to be a part of this moment in

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

of