Chasing His Kickass Luna Back
Chapter 0283

Abby

The judges are sitting in front of me, spoons poised, and I can't help but hold my breath. Every moment that they taste the soup without a word feels like an eternity. My palms are sweating, and it's all I can do to not show them that I feel like I'm about to pass out.

Vanessa is the first to break the silence, and her voice is smooth and soft—an instant comfort. "Abby, this is delightful,” she says, her spoon clinking against the bowl as she sets it down. “The balance of flavors is excellent, and the carrot really shines through. Your hint of thyme really makes the dish.”

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and a smile spreads across my lips. “Thank you, Vanessa. I'm glad you enjoyed it.”

Xavier follows, his voice deep and thoughtful. “I must agree. The sour cream and green onion were a nice touch as well. An unexpected flavor combination, but delightful nonetheless.”

Their words empower me, and I can feel the knot in my chest loosening.

But then I look towards Logan, the last to comment, and his brow is slightly furrowed. The room seems to grow colder as he places his spoon down with a long sigh.

“It's... good,” he starts, and for a moment, hope flickers inside of me, only to be immediately put out like a candle by his next words. “But if I'm being honest, it's too... safe. Expected, rather.” As he speaks, his eyes meet mine, and there's that glint again.

I feel a small knot twist in my gut, and it's all I can do to keep my composure. “I see,” I manage, swallowing. “Was it the flavors, or...?"

He shakes his head, pressing his lips into a thin line. “I can't quite say. It tasted good, but it's just... boring.”

Suddenly, Vanessa interjects before I can offer a retort. “Not every dish needs to reinvent the wheel, Logan,” she says. “And it was quite flavorful. The ginger—"

Logan's lips twitch, and he interrupts her. “Flavorful, perhaps. And you're correct; not every dish needs to reinvent the wheel. But when it comes to the most important event of the year, one would hope for more than...”

That's when he pauses, and in a swift gesture, he pushes the bowl away from him on the table, his cold eyes meeting mine. “...“cozy and comfortable.”

My heart feels like it's sinking. It feels as though Logan turned my words against me, turning something that was meaningful to me into a joke. I feel like every female chef ever, who has had her craft diminished into nothing more than frivolity.

Vanessa, sensing the tension, speaks up again. “Well, it was only the first course,” she says. “I'm sure Abby will continue to wow us throughout the evening.”

Xavier chimes in, his voice soothing. “I agree. And if we're going to critique, let's make it constructive. Abby, for the next course, we'd like you to make us something out of the box.”

Their words send a shock up my spine. Out of the box? But I already had a meal in mind. I begin scrambling internally for options, for something else I could make or perhaps a twist on what I've already got the ingredients for.

As the judges finish their notes, I retreat to the kitchen to consider my options. Karl follows, his hand brushing against mine as we walk away from the table.

"You're doing great,” he murmurs once we're out of earshot. “Logan is tough to please, but you've got Vanessa and Xavier on your side.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “Feels like I'm on thin ice, though. Logan's critique was... piercing, to say the least.”

Karl shakes his head, his eyes locking with mine. “Don’t let him get to you. You heard the others. They loved it. You nailed the balance, the flavor, everything.”

“But Logan is right, isnt he?” I can't hide the worry that seeps into my voice. “I played it safe. Maybe too safe.”

“Abby, he's just trying to get under your skin,” Karl murmurs. “Are you gonna let him?”

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