Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve
Nikki
The last day of the competition dawns and it’s down to Victor, me, and two others. The rest have dropped out since they haven’t earned enough points to compete anymore. They’ve all taken it well and are cheering on their favorites. That’s the wonderful thing about this festival, there is a lot of love and support. I’m probably the most competitive person here, and even I’ve mellowed. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to win, but I’m not as cutthroat about it now.
My friends have helped a lot with their advice. I have done well on my own without assistance from a national program. As much as I want to win this contest, I now realize I’ve built an empire all on my own, and I can continue to grow it that way too. The money would be nice, and the victory even better, but I’m not so sure I still want a show. I like my life the way it is. A lot has changed in a short amount of time. This should terrify me, but instead, I feel an odd sense of calm.
The festival has taken on a new life, the entire community more involved than ever before. After the first duo challenge where Victor and I somehow managed not to kill each other, a lot more gossip has spread. The matchmaking trio are once again at their antics, but I’m not as worried. I’ve already decided to accept a date with Victor, though I haven’t told him yet. I want to get through this last day of the competition.
I’m at my tent preparing for the biggest day of cooking. I know what I want to make and have a lot of prepared food already, but this one dish needs to be perfect for the judges. I’m going to make it shine. We have an hour until everything kicks off.
I’m surprised when I see Carol step up to the microphone again. The crowd goes quiet as they all turn in her direction. I see several of the volunteers filter in as if they have something to do. What’s this woman up to now?
“Due to popular demand, we’re changing up the rules. Thanks to the fantastic Food Network for making this possible, we’ve doubled the prize money.” The crowd gasps before they all clap. My heart thuds. I don’t trust the grin on Carol’s face. She’s about to drop another bomb.
“We needed to double the prize because you all enjoyed watching our fantastic cooks teaming up. We’ve already talked to Cindy and Mike, who’ve agreed to work together. But we kept it from Victor and Nikki because we like to throw out little twists just so we can see Nikki try to hide her scowl as the cameras roll.”
The whole audience looks right at me as they laugh, and I desperately try not to scowl like she just said I would. I’m going to egg her house. It’s decided. I don’t show what I’m feeling, though, as I smile and wave to the crowd to prove her wrong.
“Our workers are here to revamp the cooking areas so our two teams can get started in one hour. Are you all excited?”
Everyone shouts their approval as I grit my teeth. Victor moves over to me, smiling from ear to ear. “Ready for the final round?” he asks.
“You’ve gotten off so lucky. I was going to destroy you today,” I tell him. I realize this is more of an act. I don’t hate this turn of events. I won’t admit it out loud but Victor’s very good at what he does, and might’ve been able to take me. I think we make equally great food, so it really comes down to the judges and which dish they prefer. I haven’t been able to figure out their favorites yet.
“You’re probably right,” he says, shocking me.
“You don’t have to throw me off my game. Apparently, we’re a team now,” I tell him.
“I’m not trying to throw you off. You’re damn good, Nik,” he tells me. Our gazes lock together as I stare at this man I’m close to falling over the cliff for.
“So are you,” I tell him very quietly.
He laughs. “Don’t say that too loudly or someone might hear,” he says with twinkling eyes.
“Don’t worry, I won’t,” I say, joining him in laughter. Maybe we’re both enjoying this.
“Here’s another twist,” Carol says, and I groan. I figured pairing us up was enough. What else can they throw at us? We move out of the way of the workers as they get our station ready, and look up at Carol as we wait to hear what else she has in store for us.
“In Food Network fashion we can’t make this too easy by allowing you to prepare a dish you’ve done a thousand times before. That wouldn’t be fair for all of you out here waiting for a good show.” Everyone laughs again except for those of us competing. We’ve put so much time into this and now the rules are changing at the last minute. We should’ve known this with the Food Network involved. They like to throw out challenges. I love watching it on television. I don’t love it as much when I’m the one in the contest and a heck of a lot of money’s involved.
“Contestants come on up,” Carol calls.
I walk forward with reluctance. Victor’s practically skipping. He loves this. He would. I’m not sure if anything fazes this man. Cindy and Mike look a bit uneasy too. They might’ve agreed to pair up, but they already had their menu picked out as well. At least they’re as uneasy as I am.
More covered dishes sit on the table. I look over them as the crowd behind us cheers. I’m in this and I’m going to roll with it. I try to assure myself that I’m not worried. It went well last time, and it will go just as good this round. We’ve got this.
“Today, we want to really challenge you,” Carol says with a smile that has me on edge. “Today’s all about fusion. We’re throwing you together to work and we want to see the same with your food. We want you to blend two distinct culinary traditions into one beautifully cohesive dish. I’m excited to see what you’ll come up with.”
The lids are lifted with a flourish the crowd loves while ingredients are revealed from two completely different worlds. I’m thrown for a long moment. There’s sushi rice, seaweed, fresh tuna, wasabi... along with tortillas, black beans, jalapenos, and chorizo. What in the heck are we supposed to do with this? The clock’s already counting down, and I have no clue where to begin.
Victor looks slightly less confident as he gazes at the ingredients. “Japanese and Mexican. They aren’t making this easy.”
“No, they aren’t,” I agree.
“At least you two look as lost as us,” Cindy says. We all chuckle, more through nerves than amusement.
We move off to the side where we can’t be heard and start planning. Before we know it, our station’s set up, our food laid out. We move behind the table and look over the items with Cindy and Mike doing the same at their station.
“We’ve got this,” Victor says.
“I know,” I tell him. Ideas are finally beginning to flow. We start laying things out on our cutting boards.
“What if we do a sushi roll, but with a spicy chorizo and jalapeno filling?” I suggest.
“I love it,” he says. “That will be dish one. Nothing like a sushi burrito.”
I grab the tuna and start slicing it with precision. “It’s more of a temaki, you uncultured swine,” I say with a laugh.
“Ah, you’re using the big words now,” he says, laughing along with me, making the audience clap.
He grabs the tortillas and starts grilling them, softening them and giving them a good smoky flavor. “I might not be the most sophisticated, but I come up with some good ideas once in a while.”
“Let’s hear some ideas, then I’ll let you know if they’re good or not,” I tell him. I catch some of our audience nodding along as they watch the two of us. I hear laughter from Cindy and Mike’s station as well, so they shouldn’t be counted out. I’m trying to tell myself I’m not nervous, but I’d be a fool to underestimate them.
We cook while we bounce ideas off of each other, and soon enough, we’re working in the same seamless way as we did before. Victor perfects the tortillas, crisping them just enough to hold a sushi-like shape while I whip up a quick jalapeno aioli. He suggests adding a touch of lime zest and I agree. We taste it, and it’s perfection. We’re moving along nicely.
“It’s almost like we know what we’re doing,” Victor says as he works on some tuna rice with fresh herbs, searing the fish perfectly, making my mouth water. Shockingly we’re making several dishes that can truly be called unique. We have this in the bag.
“Don’t get too cocky, Victor. We aren’t finished yet,” I warn. We’re getting lots of advice from the crowd just like last time.
“Don’t burn the fish, Victor.”
“Teach him how to slice his tuna, Nikki.”
Victor laughs as he winks at the crowd. I’m having fun. It’s probably more fun than I’d have on my own. I really do like working with this man. We meld well together when we aren’t trying to destroy one another. I like how much he challenges me, making me want to be better. I wonder if I do the same for him.
We cook for the next hour, then plate our fusion sushi-tacos, tuna-herb rice, sashimi tostadas, and fruit salsa. The plate looks gorgeous, and as the crowd looks on, they applaud in approval. Once again Sia catches all of it on camera, narrating like a pro as my fans tune in to watch.
“Well guys, it looks like our dynamic duo has done it again,” Sia calls out. I laugh, but I’m feeling pretty damn good about what we’ve done.
Victor leans in close, his voice just for me. “We do make a mighty fine team.”
“You might be right,” I tell him. His grin grows wider.
The plates are handed over to the judges who make notes we can’t see. My heart’s thumping madly. I try not to let it show.
Carol steps up to the microphone. “That was fun, wasn’t it?” she asks. The crowd cheers their agreement.
“When we’re having this much fun we don’t want it to end.” My mouth drops open as I stare at her. I’ve put it all on the line and she’s saying there’s more. I don’t know how much more I have in me right now with all of these twists and turns.
“Let’s finish this contest right with a dessert challenge. We can’t leave the festival without a decadent treat, can we?” The crowd shouts no.
New ingredients are revealed to us: chocolate, cayenne pepper, mascarpone, basil, bacon, and a few more items I’ve never put together before. Why not, though? We can do it.
“Are you ready to make your cake and eat it too?” Victor asks me with a wink.
“Really, Victor? That’s all you have?” I taunt.
“I have plenty more. Just say when and I’ll give it to you,” he says. I have no doubt the dessert he’s thinking about has nothing to do with food. I’m thinking his dessert sounds a whole lot better at this particular moment, maybe at any moment.
We rush back to our stations and get to work. Victor and I easily get back into a rhythm. I’m shocked as he handles the ingredients with ease. He might be the better pastry chef; it’s never been my strong suit. I let him take the lead as I desperately want to win this. The synergy between us no longer surprises me.
“Let’s do some chocolate basil mousse, adding a hint of cayenne for richness,” he suggests.
“I love it,” I tell him. “A good mousse is hard to perfect, but you look completely comfortable.”
“Dessert is where I started. I have a sweet tooth,” he says. I look at the ingredients and smile.
“Let’s add some candied bacon for crunch. Then we’ll have spicy, sweet, and savory, a perfect combo.”
“I love it,” he says shooting me a wink. We get right into it.
The crowd is fully invested in our chemistry and cheering us on as they shout out some more suggestions. The judges use blind taste tests to avoid favoritism. We have this.
“More bacon!” someone calls.
“More basil,” another person suggests. There are always backseat cooks in the house.
“How about a kiss?” someone calls. I have a feeling it’s one of my so-called friends. I don’t even acknowledge the comment.
“Sounds like they’re getting impatient. Maybe we should give them what they want,” Victor suggests.
“Focus on the mousse not the crowd,” I tell him. The challenge flies by, and before we know it, we’re plating our final dish of the whole event. It’s bittersweet that it’s soon going to be over. Just when I realize I could do more cooking dishes with Victor at my side, we’re going to be finished. It sort of bums me. I might have two different personalities when it comes to this man.
The judges are brought back out, and Victor and I stand back with bated breaths. My heart’s thudding as I wait for the final decision. I don’t realize I’ve reached over and gripped Victor’s hand. He’s somehow grounding me in this crazy moment.
When the winners are announced, my ears are buzzing as Victor and I are pulled up onto the stage. Everyone’s clapping and cheering as Victor stands at my side, a huge check placed into our hands as the Food Network comes onto the stage to give a speech. My blood’s running too loudly in my ears to hear any of it.
We’ve won. We pulled this off and won the entire event... together. In a blur of activity and emotion we’re surrounded by our loved ones, given hugs and congratulations. I don’t know how much time passes before Victor leads me away from the crowd. I don’t think I take my first full breath until I’m standing on the beach alone with him. I’m not sure how he managed it.
He doesn’t say anything for a full five minutes, which I appreciate. I stare at the ocean waves, letting the rhythmic motion soothe my nerves and calm my soul. We won. It’s amazing. I’m not sure anything in life will top this.
“We did it, Nik,” he quietly says as he wraps an arm around my shoulders and gazes at the horizon.
“We did,” I finally say.
“Did you hear any of what was said? You looked pretty overwhelmed up on that stage.”
I shake my head. “No, my blood was rushing too hard and fast. I’ll have to watch the video,” I admit.
He chuckles. Then he turns us so we’re facing each other. I look into his beautiful eyes and feel at home. I’m here with him now and I have no desire to run away.
“Are you ready to accept a date with me?”
This places my feet firmly back on the ground and I laugh. “You don’t give up, do you, Victor Fortier?”
“It’s not in my nature.”
“I’m glad,” I tell him. Then I lean up and kiss him, the last of my worries gone. I’m ready to see what’s next between us. The contest might be over, but I think Victor and I are just beginning. It’s exactly where I want to be.