Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Abby

I feel frozen to my spot as the judges make their way toward Daniel’s station.

The grin stretched across his face almost makes me feel sick, and it’s all I can

do not to run off the stage right now.

“Wow,” Vanessa says as she takes the first bite of Daniel’s dish, which looks

leaps and bounds ahead of mine just by presentation alone. “Really, Daniel;

wow. Despite everything, you created a phenomenal dish.”

“Thank you so much,” Daniel says, his eyes flickering toward me. “You know,

with my sous chef’s wrist in so much pain, it was difficult. But we made it.”

Enter title…

Next, the judges begin making their way toward me, and I feel like I’m going to

be sick. They stop in front of my station, and I can feel the cold weight of

Logan’s gaze on me already.

“Hello, Abby,” Vanessa says, her gaze sweet as ever despite the circumstances.

“Your performance in the second round was lacking, but you’re here now. How

do you feel?”

I swallow. “I feel…” I pause, my throat cracked and dry. “I feel… Hopeful,” I

mutter. Vanessa nods in response along with the third judge, but Logan—his

face is as inscrutable as ever.

judges begin their taste test, times feels as though it’s moving

are on me, Abby, the chef with the ‘violent’ partner. I wish

if only to have his presence by my side, but he’s

feels even more vast and cold

says, her voice low. “This…

expected from you.”

panic begins to set in. “I…

to explain, but my words falter under her

but it’s not one of understanding. “I see what

together on the plate. I’m

the second judge, Xavier, a chef of few words. His eyes

I see it there before he

adds simply, his voice

want to argue, to defend my dish, to say

They know the chaos that

yet they seem

and authoritative, that

have here is a fundamental

meeting mine.

clutch the edge of my station, my knuckles

in my voice isn’t

an eyebrow. “Well, to put it plainly…” He pauses, as

“You didn’t follow the instructions, Abby. This dish is not what

asked for.”

hitches, and I find myself gasping for air. “But I—I don’t

my composure shattering. “This is farro

and mushrooms. It’s exactly what was asked of

says

not farro mafaldine with black truffle butter

Logan is already digging through

stabs a piece of

it this way and

look like a black truffle to

as though all of the oxygen