Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kat
Waiting for the results of the cook-off was unnerving, and I still had my suspicions on Miles’ intention with simplifying his menu. He didn’t seem stressed at all tonight, and if anything, he’d been kind of checked out through most of the competition.
Clarissa was rambling on about how much fun she’d had and how we should do it more often, but I couldn’t focus on anything she was saying as I watched the judges discussing us.
Every now and then, they would lean forward to talk without anyone hearing them, then pull back and look our way.
I couldn’t tell if it was good or bad as they all schooled their expressions and made it impossible to read them.
Finally, after what felt like forever, they motioned for Clarissa and handed her an envelope with their decision. Luka leaned closer, whispering something in her ear before getting up and leaving the room. My stomach turned, wondering if we had failed to impress him tonight.
“Alright, ladies and gentlemen, I have the results in my hot little hand. But before I get to that, I would like to say a huge thank you to our guest judges, the staff of Ambrosia, and Channel 8 News for all being here tonight.”
I flexed my fingers a few times, holding my breath while I waited impatiently.
“By a unanimous vote, and after Luka Fagiolo deciding to retract his vote due to personal reasons, the winner of this cook-off is Kat Elliott.” Clarissa turned and clapped for me as everyone in the kitchen joined in.
I let out a sigh of relief, but now that Luka had left, it didn’t feel like it mattered much anymore.
I had initially agreed to this absurd contest as a way to get back at Miles and to shut him down with his constant date proposals.
But then, when Luka was mentioned, it was like this had shifted into a one-time shot at my dream, and I got so caught up in the idea of him offering me a job that I’d ignored everything else.
“Congratulations,” Miles said, extending his hand as he approached me. Everyone else was off talking and cleaning up, leaving us by ourselves.
“Thank you, though I don’t think that was a fair contest. Why did you do that?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest.
“Do what?”
“Throw the competition so I could win.”
“I didn’t. I made what I felt like at the time.”
I shook my head.
“No, I don’t believe that for a second. This whole thing was your idea to begin with, Miles. You wanted to prove that you were a better chef than me, but then you didn’t bother trying.”
He stepped closer, invading my space as I sucked in a deep breath.
“I could care less about proving myself to you as a chef, Kat,” he growled, pinching the tip of my chin between his fingers and lifting my head to look at me. “This whole thing was a stupid way of trying to get your attention—nothing more than that.”
He was right, and I knew that. The original deal was that if he won, I owed him a date. If I won, he’d leave me alone and stop asking me out.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized, instantly feeling like shit for my outburst and accusing him of something that he didn’t do. “I thought maybe you backed out on making the food you’d originally planned so I could win. I’m used to thinking the worst when it comes to men and relationships.”
He stepped forward again, pinning me against the counter while the outline of his erection pressed firmly against my thigh. I glanced around, checking to see if anyone was watching us, but he didn’t care.
“I’m not like other men, Kat. You don’t have to keep your guard up around me, and I really wish you’d stop comparing me to them.”
He shook his head, then turned and walked away. I saw him say something to Anthony and Darryl before glancing at me over his shoulder and storming off.
After he left, Clarissa came over to talk to me.
“So, how does it feel to win?” she asked excitedly.
I shrugged, unsure of how to answer. Miles had left me feeling frazzled and like a total bitch. Suddenly winning didn’t feel that good.
“I thought this was what you wanted?” Her voice was softer as she realized something was wrong.
“It was, but I guess I lost sight of why I wanted to win.”
“You mean it wasn’t to prove Miles wrong and get him to stop chasing after you?” she laughed and arched a brow.
“No,” I chuckled. “I can handle Miles.”
She whistled through her teeth.
“I bet you can.”
I pulled my head back in surprise and laughed, feeling the blush creep up my skin.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” she grinned. “But I do know that it doesn’t take that long to bandage a cut finger, and you guys were gone an awfully long time in that bathroom by yourselves.”
I covered my face with my hands and cringed. Had she heard us?
“Don’t worry, we’ve all been waiting for you guys to get your heads out of your asses and finally act on it. Just don’t do it in my kitchen,” she warned with a finger pointed in my direction.
I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want her to know we already had. Instead, I shifted the conversation before she could walk away.
“So, what happened with Luka?” I prodded. “Why did he decide not to vote?”
She chewed her lip and looked around to see if anyone else was listening.
“He didn’t want to vote because he’s looking for an executive chef for his San Antonio location of The Starling and didn’t want to hire someone he’d voted for in a competition.”
My voice caught in my throat as I tried to force the words out.
“He’s looking for an executive chef? And is picking someone from tonight?”
“It looks like it.”
“Who? How will we know who he picked?” There were so many questions that I was desperate to get out.
“He said he’ll reach out to them when he has an offer ready.”
She raised her brows, then smiled and went over to say goodbye to the guest judges that were getting ready to leave.