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.”

…

floats around, chatting with everyone. Her joy

makes every ounce of effort

bar, a contented smile tugging

my eyes catch a

against the far wall, nursing his drink. Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment

and a mixture of

delicious food wafts through the air as waiters begin

dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes, rice

Chloe’s eyes light up like a

and

G od, Abby,

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

stands up, raising her glass. “I just want to say,

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

and

moment, all is right

Chloe declares, her eyes scanning the room. “I

fiddling with it, trying to find the perfect spot

a glass, angling it just

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

going to work, is it?”

her eyes land on Karl,

Karl.”

taking another

the picture for

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

tension

over a captivated audience.

it’s just me, but I sense a little animosity, a subtle

me uneasy.

picture,” I start to say, not wanting Karl to feel

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

my thoughts. His face softens, and

happy

collective sense of relief

Chloe announces, her excitement

servers, friends,

connected through the thread of

grabs the phone, getting into

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

before handing the

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

frozen snippets

something missing, and for a moment, I think to

just like old days. I push the thought

he replies, his tone casual but carrying a depth I

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

to be a part of

I can’t shake the feeling that he should have been in those

of this memory we’ve