Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 285

Abby

A warmth rushes over me as I carry the extra plates to the table where the judges are sitting. Karl follows close behind with a jug of water and two extra glasses. The scent of rosemary and thyme hangs in the air as I slide the plates down and pull up a chair.

My heart’s doing somersaults, but I manage to muster a smile.

Xavier looks up, his eyes twinkling, and nods toward my plate. “I must say, Abby, the presentation is spot on.”

Vanessa agrees, her fork poised over the perfectly seared chicken. “And the aroma! You were right about the lemon and lion’s mane.”

“Thank you,” I say with a polite nod. “It’s a trick I’ve held onto for years.”

Karl gives me an encouraging wink as we start to eat. I can’t help but steal glances at Logan, who’s quietly cutting into his entree, his expression unreadable.

“So, Abby,” Xavier begins, wiping a bit of sauce from the corner of his mouth with a napkin, “tell us about this recipe. There’s a story here, I’m sure.”

I take a small breath. “Well, it’s a take on a recipe of my grandmother’s. I added the lion’s mane to make it my own.”

Vanessa chimes in, “So you took the foundation and built upon it. That’s the mark of a true chef, in my opinion; being able to take something so simple and make it your own, while still keeping the integrity of the original dish.”

Xavier nods. “Exactly.”

The meal progresses with lively chatter. Vanessa and Xavier share stories about past competitions and dishes that left a mark on them. I listen, enthralled and chiming in when I can, but it’s all so much. Here I am, Abby, sharing a meal in my own home with some of the greatest chefs of my time.

“I must say,” Vanessa says after chewing a bite of potato thoughtfully, “I’m quite impressed. Really.”

“I as well,” Xavier chimes in. “Abby, this is worlds away from your performance at the cook-off. What a shame your fellow contestant…” He pauses, shaking his head. Vanessa’s eyes fall to her plate. I can tell she’s disappointed by the memory.

“Well, I won’t talk about it,” Xavier continues, taking a sip of his wine. “But really, you’ve outdone yourself.”

I can’t help but bask in the glow of their praise, but a glance at Logan cools my excitement. He still has yet to say more than two words throughout this entire meal, and his expression is inscrutable.

Xavier picks up on the tension and continues. “And Abby, aside from cooking, what do you do to unwind?”

I think for a moment before answering. “I…”

“She gardens,” Karl chimes in, and there’s a hint of something proud in his tone. I glance up at him, surprised. There’s a sparkle in his eyes as he continues. “And she’s really good at it.”

“Really?” Vanessa asks, cocking her head. “Do you have a garden here? I’d love to see it.”

I open my mouth to respond, but then stop; because truthfully, I don’t. Not like I used to. Not like when I still lived with Karl, where I had my own sprawling garden. My lemon trees were my crowning glory, but that’s all behind us now.

“Just a few window boxes right now,” I say, popping a potato into my mouth. My gaze meets Karl’s again, and I can feel a flush of red creep into my cheeks.

As dinner continues, Xavier and Vanessa continue to hold the conversation afloat with praise and stories. But there’s an undercurrent of tension emanating from Logan’s end of the table that I can’t ignore.

Finally, I decide to break the silence.