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

her this happy makes every ounce

contented smile tugging at my lips. But amid the thrum

catch a familiar

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

a mixture of emotions churns

the smell of delicious food wafts through

mouthwatering dishes: lobster tails, crab cakes,

Chloe’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas

and squeals

G od, Abby,

please,” I reply, sharing a

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

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

friendship and

a moment, all

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

with it, trying to find the perfect spot where

a

attempts—it slips, tips over, or just gives

not going to work, is it?” Chloe

eyes land on Karl, who’s leaning against the

Karl.”

taking another sip of his

picture

daring him not to

tension

over a captivated audience.

a little animosity, a subtle standoff between Chloe and Karl that

me uneasy.

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

part of the team, part of this night.

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

I’d be happy to

replaced by a collective sense

Chloe announces, her excitement returning in

servers, friends, and family, each one of us

the thread

into position. “Ready? One,

room full of people who matter.

before handing the

the pictures. They’re perfect, capturing the

frozen snippets of

for a moment, I think to

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

replies, his tone casual but carrying

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

for his willingness to step in and help, to be

the feeling that

of this memory