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.”

…

in a simple yet elegant dress, floats

her this happy makes every

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

eyes catch

his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting

mixture of emotions

wafts through the

lobster tails, crab cakes,

eyes light up like a

and squeals

od, Abby, you made my

chef aims to please,” I reply, sharing a knowing smile

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

the room, locking eyes with each of

and

clink, and for a moment, all

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

find

a glass,

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

going to work, is it?” Chloe

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

Karl.”

he says, taking another sip of

the picture

as though daring him not to

photo. A weird tension fills the air

over a captivated audience.

little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and Karl

me uneasy.

be in the picture,” I start

the team, part of this night.

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

happy

a collective sense of relief that ripples through

announces, her excitement returning in

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

through the

getting into

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

measure before handing the phone

through the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing

in frozen snippets

a moment, I

old days. I push the thought away, though, and

he replies, his tone casual but carrying a depth I

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

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

feeling that he should have been in those pictures too.

of this memory we’ve