Karl chuckles. The production assistant is waving her clipboard frantically,

checking her watch like we’re about to count down to an explosion. Karl takes

my hand and we run down the hall, bursting through the doors to the stage. The

assistant gestures to where our station is, all the way on the other end.

Composing ourselves, we walk stiffly onto the stage.

As we walk into the blinding lights, I can see the other contestants—waiting,

watching at their stations. Vanessa is watching from the judges’ stand, and for a

moment I expect her to shake her head with disappointment. But instead, she

shoots me a subtle wink and a thumbs-up. That alone is enough to make me

feel more at ease.

Enter title…

But then, just as we’re passing by the other stations, I hear it: Daniel’s voice, a

cuts through the air, low enough so only Karl and

hear.

Daniel mutters to his sous chef, not even attempting to

it. “She can’t even get her morning

Honestly, she has no business being in

of indignation bubbling beneath the surface of

I feel Karl tense beside me, his

words.

he growls, ready to pounce, but

signaling him

Not when it

no place in the

care of business.

I say firmly.

shoots me a look as we approach our station. “And

you? Again?”

need you to fight my

know you

nothing,” I cut him off. “Now

a moment before

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