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.”

…

simple yet elegant dress, floats around, chatting with everyone.

her this happy makes every ounce of

contented smile tugging at my lips. But

catch a

Our eyes lock

and a mixture of emotions

delicious food wafts through the

tails, crab cakes, rice

light up like a kid on

and squeals

od, Abby, you made my

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

stands up, raising her glass. “I just want to say, I have the best friends in the

with each of us, “you two are the best

friendship and fabulous

a moment, all is right

eyes scanning

and start fiddling with it, trying to find the

a glass, angling

few failed attempts—it slips, tips over, or just gives a

it?” Chloe notes, sensing my

eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning against the wall,

Karl.”

taking another sip

picture for

daring him not to take the

doesn’t want him in her photo. A weird tension fills the air for a split second, like a hush

over a captivated audience.

little animosity, a subtle standoff

me uneasy.

be in the picture,” I start to say, not

of this night. And

he reads my thoughts. His face softens, and he puts down

worries. I’d be happy

collective sense of relief that ripples

announces, her excitement returning in

together, a motley crew of chefs, servers, friends, and family, each

the thread

into position.

joy, and a room

before handing the phone back

through the pictures. They’re

frozen

for a moment, I think to myself that the picture feels

by my side, just like old days. I push the thought away, though, and offer Karl

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

my heart twinges with a mixture of gratitude

to be a part of

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

part of