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Like before, the judges walk from station to station, tasting the dishes. My heart hammers in my chest. If I don’t pass this round, I’m out.
When the judges reach our station, I grab Chloe’s hand and she squeezes mine. The judges ask questions, but put on poker faces so I have no idea what they’re thinking.
It’s torture as they finish with the tasting, then leave to deliberate. Most teams keep to themselves as we wait, a few chat. Chloe and I stand at our station, facing each other with our hands clasped.
“You’ve got this,” she encourages. “Those kids have nothing on you.”
“Us,” I correct. “Thanks for being here with me.”
She wraps her arms around my waist, keeping a bit of a distance. I want to tug her closer, but I force myself not to.
It doesn’t take long for the judges to return with their decision. They call ten names, ordering them to step up before them. I’m part of the first group. The partners hang behind.
“Congratulations,” Catherine Robinson says with a wide grin. “You have all made it to the next round.” She turns to the other ten contestants. “You all did great and should be proud of yourselves. But I’m afraid it’s time for you to go home.”
Everyone claps for them as they leave the kitchen.
Viraj stands and addresses the top ten. “Congratulations to those who made it to the next round!”
He gives us instructions, and then we’re directed out of the kitchen. We’re allowed to keep our aprons. Win or lose, they’re ours.
“Yay!” Chloe throws her arms around me once we’re in the back room. “I knew you’d make it.”
“Thanks so much.” I hug her close.
We meet our friends and family outside. Mom and Dad can’t stop hugging me and telling me how proud they are of me. Uncle Zane and Aunt Bailey also pull me into their arms. Zoey and Brock inform me that they think I’m pretty cool for making it to the next round.
I ruffle both their heads. “Thanks, guys.”
The rest of the Four Musketeers and their kids, and my friends, also congratulate me. And hug me close. I don’t think it’s sinking in yet that I’m one step closer to winning a scholarship to culinary school and fulfilling my dreams.
The gang talks and laughs for a while before it’s time for us to head home. My head spins as we get in the car and Dad drives us to Edenbury.
Lily wraps her arm over me. “I knew you could do it, womb buddy.”
Even though I hate when she calls me that, I let it slide because I’m just too excited. And nervous, and I don’t know!
Evie hands me a sheet of paper. It’s a drawing of me and Chloe during the competition. I look so happy, so in my element. “Wow,” I say with wide eyes. “This is so cool. You drew it so quickly.”
She shrugs. “It’s just a rough sketch.”
“It’s perfect.”
“Thanks. Figured you’d want to hang that on your wall.”
I hug her. “I love it. Thanks.”
“Just captured you exactly how you are. A budding chef.”
I smile. “Thanks again.”
As we continue the drive home, I think back to the competition. Specifically, the sparks that shot through my body when Chloe and I knocked into each other.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chloe
My secret admirer and I have been exchanging letters for the past few days. Every morning, a letter falls out of my locker, and I hand a response to Derek before the day is over. It’s become our routine. While my guy has been writing sweet words and poems, I still don’t have a sense ofwhohe is. He keeps everything on the surface. Which, I can understand because he’s still not ready to be that open with me. But I do feel him opening up just a little with each letter, and that gives me hope that it won’t be long before he feels comfortable to open up completely.
