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

makes every ounce of effort worth

behind the bar, a contented smile tugging

my eyes catch

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

and a mixture of emotions churns

smell of delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin

dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf and

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

and squeals

my G od, Abby, you made

reply,

“I just want to say, I have the best friends

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

and fabulous

moment, all is right

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

trying to find the perfect spot

it against a glass, angling it

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

work, is it?” Chloe notes, sensing my

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

Karl.”

he says, taking another sip of

the picture for

though daring him not to take the

A weird tension fills the air for a

over a captivated audience.

I sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff between

me uneasy.

I start to say, not wanting Karl to feel left out.

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

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

I’d be happy to take

collective sense of relief that ripples through

announces,

a motley crew of chefs, servers, friends,

the thread of

grabs the phone, getting into position.

room full of

handing

I say softly, flipping through the

in frozen snippets

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

my side, just like old days. I push the thought away, though, and offer Karl a

but carrying a depth I can’t

his original spot, my heart twinges with a

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

shake the feeling that he should have been in those pictures too.

be part of