Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 241

Karl

The sizzle of sauteing farro mafaldine fills the air as Abby and I maneuver around our station like we’ve done this a million times before. I can sense a newfound glimmer in Abby’s eyes, a hint of something confident and downright mesmerizing.

“Ken,” Abby’s voice cuts sharply through the noise, using the pseudonym that I chose earlier today like it’s second nature to her despite the pressure, “start on the mushrooms. I’ll handle the mafaldine and get the sauce going.”

“On it,” I reply, grabbing a skillet. I drizzle the olive oil into the pan just as I’ve watched Anton and John do all along, having taken their motions and saved them in a little recess in the back of my mind, like a sponge soaking up knowledge.

Abby doesn’t miss a beat, her hands working with a practiced rhythm as she finishes kneading the pasta dough and begins feeding it through the pasta machine. She shoots me a quick, conspiratorial glance that says we’ve got this in the bag, so long as we don’t have another sabotage on our hands.

“Make sure those mushrooms are golden, Ken,” she says. “They need to be perfect.”

I nod, adjusting the flame. “On it, Chef.”

Her laugh crackles across our station. “‘Chef,’” she says. “I like when you call me that.”

But then, her hands move over the mafaldine, her attention back on the pasta. “We’’l need the truffles soon,” she says. “Can you grab them?”

“Coming right up,” I say, although the mushrooms demand my focus for a few moments longer. They’re browning nicely, the nutty aroma mixing with the sweet scent of the saffron.

Satisfied, I turn down the heat and take a step away from the stove, wiping my hands on the towel that’s slung over my shoulder. “I’ll grab the truffles now."

As I make my way to the pantry, I can't help but feel the prickling sensation of being on the cusp of victory. Abby is bound to win this, I’m sure of it. The second round was a bit of a bust, but lady luck is on our side right now.