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

this happy makes every ounce of effort worth

room from behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at

catch a familiar

drink. Our

a mixture of emotions churns

enough, the smell of delicious food wafts through

dishes: lobster tails, crab

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

and squeals with

my G od, Abby, you made

reply, sharing

“I just want to say, I have the

room, locking eyes with each of us, “you two

friendship and fabulous

and for a moment,

should capture this,” Chloe declares, her eyes scanning the room.

find

prop it against a glass, angling it just

few failed attempts—it slips, tips over,

it?” Chloe notes, sensing my

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

Karl.”

up?” he says, taking another sip of his

picture

daring him

photo. A weird tension fills the

over a captivated audience.

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

me uneasy.

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

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

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

I’d be happy

a collective sense of relief

gather around!” Chloe announces, her excitement returning

a motley crew of chefs, servers, friends, and family, each one of us

but connected through the thread of this very

phone, getting into

room full of people

handing the phone back

the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing the

frozen snippets

there’s something missing, and for a moment, I

days. I push the thought away, though, and offer Karl

his tone casual but carrying a depth

original spot, my heart twinges

in and help, to be a

feeling

of this