Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 234

Abby

The director holds up three fingers, his mouth moving silently as he counts down to live. Three… two… one.

“And… we’re back!” The announcer's voice booms across the studio, and the audience erupts into cheers and applause as an assistant holds up cue cards out of the camera’s view. “What a whirlwind first round, folks! Let’s give a round of applause to our winners so far: Abby, Bryan, and Daniel!”

The announcer’s voice then turns our attention toward the contestant who lost last round. “It was a tough loss for Frederick, but that’s the nature of the game!” he says.

The judges then come into the spotlight, and Logan’s words slice through the warmth of the stage lights.

“The first round was child’s play,” he says. “Now, we begin to separate the good eggs…” His eyes skewer me from across the room, and I resist the urge to look away. “From the bad.”

Karl’s eyes flit over to me, but I ignore them. I keep my smile plastered on my face, urging myself to ignore the ghost of Logan and Daniel’s words, to place my entire focus on the real reason why I’m here: to win.

Vanessa’s tone, by contrast, is a comfort. “I expect the best from all of our lovely contestants,” she says, her smile sweeping the stage. “And most of all, let’s appreciate why we’re here today: to celebrate cuisine in all of its forms.”

As the judges return to their stand, the announcer draws in a deep breath.

“Contestants,” he starts, the studio falling eerily silent. “We’re about to sweeten the pot! Forget the entrees; we’re diving into desserts this round! A limoncello and pistachio tiramisu is your challenge!”

A murmur ripples through the crowd, and a knot of anxiety begins to twist in my gut.