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.”

…

a simple yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting with

makes

contented

catch a

nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting

and a mixture of emotions churns

the smell of delicious food wafts through the air as

tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf

Chloe’s eyes light up

and

od, Abby,

reply, sharing a knowing

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

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

and fabulous

and for a moment, all is right with the

eyes scanning the room. “I want a picture with

trying to find the perfect spot where we can all

a glass, angling it just

few failed attempts—it slips, tips over, or

is it?” Chloe notes, sensing my

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

Karl.”

says, taking another

the picture for

words are somewhat demanding, as though daring him not to

she doesn’t want him in her photo. A weird tension fills the air for a split second, like a hush

over a captivated audience.

animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and Karl

me uneasy.

I think everyone should be in the picture,” I start

of this night.

as if he reads my thoughts. His face softens,

worries. I’d be happy

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

Everyone, gather around!” Chloe announces,

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

but connected through the

getting into position. “Ready?

goes off, capturing smiles, joy, and a room

measure before handing the phone back

through the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing the

frozen snippets of

something missing, and for a moment, I think to myself that the picture feels

side, just like old days. I push the

replies, his tone casual but carrying a depth

back to his original spot, my heart twinges

to step in and help, to be a

can’t shake the feeling

be part of this memory