Page 22 of A Recipe for Romance

When they pulled apart, breathless, Drew rested his forehead against hers. “We should get some sleep,” he murmured, though he made no move to let her go. “Big day ahead.”

Kelsi snuggled closer, her voice small. “Can I stay here tonight? Just to sleep, I mean. I... I rest better when you’re near.”

The vulnerability in her words melted the last of his defenses. “Of course,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Always.”

As they lay in bed together, Drew held her close, the steady rise and fall of her breathing lulling him into a peaceful state. All the worries that had kept him awake earlier faded into the background. The finale loomed large, but in that moment, with Kelsi in his arms, he felt calm—steady. Whatever tomorrow brought, they would face it together.

The next morning came too soon. As they prepared to leave separately to avoid suspicion on set, Drew caught Kelsi’s hand, pulling her into a last embrace.

“Remember,” he said softly, his eyes locked on hers, “no matter what happens out there today, I love you. You’ve already won in my eyes.”

Kelsi’s breath caught at his words—neither of them had said “I love you” before. A brilliant smile spread across her face as she replied, “I love you too, Drew. Now, let’s go make some culinary magic.”

Watching her drive away, Drew felt a swell of emotion—pride, love, anticipation—all swirling together as the reality of the day hit him. He was about to judge the most important challenge of the competition, but for him, it was more than that. It was a defining moment in both his professional life and his relationship with Kelsi.

Arriving at the studio, Drew took a moment to center himself before stepping out of the car. The set was buzzing with energy—contestants scrambling to perfect their dishes, crew members checking every detail. In the midst of the chaos, Kelsi stood at her station, her expression focused, her pink hair a striking contrast against the backdrop of the busy kitchen.

Their eyes met briefly across the room. In that fleeting second, Drew felt an unspoken promise pass between them. No matter the outcome today, they were in this together.

The moment was gone as quickly as it came, and Drew shifted into his role as head judge. Professional, detached, fair. He couldn’t afford to be anything else.

As the contestants prepped for the final round, Drew moved through the kitchen, offering feedback and observations. Each contestant was giving it their all, but his attention kept returning to Kelsi. He had to fight the urge to stay longer at her station, to watch her every move. She was focused, confident, and her creativity shone through in every element of her dish.

Finally, it was time for the judges to taste the final creations. As Kelsi presented her dish—a complex fusion of techniques and flavors—Drew maintained his composed exterior. But inside, he marveled at her growth, at how far she’d come.

He tasted her food, his expression revealing nothing as the cameras rolled. But when his eyes met hers, there was no hiding the pride, the love, the admiration he felt. Her dish was extraordinary, and though he couldn’t say it aloud, he knew she had done something remarkable.

The finale had begun, and with it, the next chapter of their lives. Whatever the outcome, Drew knew one thing for sure: with Kelsi by his side, he was ready for whatever came next. Together, they were unstoppable.

Chapter 15: Drew

The studio lights blazed, reflecting off the gleaming kitchen counters as Kelsi stood at her station, heart pounding. Today was the finale ofCulinary Crescendo—the culmination of months of sweat, tears, and transformation. Around her, the familiar sounds of knives hitting cutting boards and pans sizzling filled the air, but all she could focus on was the enormity of this moment.

She glanced toward the judges' table, where Drew sat, calm and composed, but their shared glance sent a surge of confidence through her. His steady presence had been her anchor, even when they had to keep things strictly professional. His quiet encouragement from across the room was all she needed to ground herself.

Zak's booming voice brought her back to reality. "Welcome to the grand finale ofCulinary Crescendo!" The crowd roared with excitement as he continued, "Our finalists have fought hard to be here, but today’s challenge is the ultimate test of their culinary journey. Each chef must create a five-course tasting menu that tells the story of their growth on this show. You have five hours. Let’s begin!"

---