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 around, chatting with everyone. Her joy

makes every ounce of effort worth

behind the bar, a contented smile tugging at

my eyes catch

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

a mixture of emotions churns within

the smell of delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin

lobster tails, crab cakes, rice pilaf and

table, Chloe’s eyes light up like

together and

Abby, you

aims to please,” I reply, sharing a knowing

want to say, I

of us, “you two are the

and fabulous

for a moment, all

eyes scanning the room. “I want

it, trying to find the perfect spot where we

a glass,

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

to work, is it?” Chloe notes, sensing my

on Karl, who’s leaning against the

Karl.”

says, taking another sip

picture for

daring him not to

photo. A weird tension fills the air

over a captivated audience.

little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe

me uneasy.

I think everyone should be in the picture,” I start to say, not wanting Karl

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

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

I’d be happy to take

replaced by a collective sense of relief that ripples through the

Chloe announces, her excitement returning

servers, friends, and family, each one of us

the

phone, getting into position. “Ready? One,

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

good measure before handing the

flipping through the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing the essence

in frozen snippets of

a moment, I think to myself that the

I push the thought away, though, and offer

problem,” he replies, his tone casual but carrying a depth

his original spot, my heart twinges with a mixture of gratitude and

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

same time, I can’t shake the feeling that

part of this