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.”

…

radiant in a simple yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting with everyone. Her joy is

makes every ounce of effort

the room from behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at

catch

wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for a

mixture of emotions churns within

of delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin to

mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes, rice

Chloe’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas

together and squeals

od, Abby, you made my

I reply, sharing a knowing smile

want to say, I have the best friends in the entire world.

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

and

for a moment, all is

eyes scanning

grab my phone and start fiddling with it, trying to find the perfect spot where we can all fit in

prop it against a glass, angling it just

failed attempts—it slips, tips over, or

is it?” Chloe notes, sensing

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

Karl.”

he says, taking another sip of his

picture

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

photo. A weird tension

over a captivated audience.

I sense a little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and

me uneasy.

in the picture,” I start to say, not wanting Karl to feel left

of this night. And he’s helped me immensely with the

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

be happy to

by a collective sense of relief that

Chloe announces, her excitement returning in

of chefs, servers,

story but connected through the thread of this

phone, getting into position.

a room full of people who matter.

good measure before handing the phone back

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

in frozen snippets of

for a moment, I

side, just like old days. I push the

casual but carrying a depth I can’t quite

heart twinges with a mixture of gratitude and guilt.

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

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

be part of this memory