Abby Six years ago. The stainless steel countertops gleamed under the harsh lighting of the culinary school kitchen as I plated my dish with trembling hands. The scent of my creation, a painstaking fusion of herbs and spices, wafted tantalizingly through the air—but I had no appetite. My gaze
When it was time to present, I stood by my dish, my heart hammering against my ribcage, as Professor Hawthorne approached. The silence stretched on for what felt like forever. I watched him closely, searching for any sign of approval. Then he spoke, so quietly I almost didn’t catch it. “A+.”
Abby The silence in the room is thick with tension as we wait for Logan’s verdict. Vanessa’s and Xavier’s praises still echo in the back of my mind, but it’s Logan’s opinion that really seems to hold the weight of the world. I can’t explain why, but it somehow feels as though Logan’s opinion hol
Abby Logan’s smirk unsettles me. It feels as though he somehow has the upper hand in a game I didn’t even know we were playing. “I don’t understand, Logan. What are you talking about?” My voice is steady, but inside, I feel anything but. Logan leans against the door frame, casual as ever. “Ken
My smile wavers as I turn away, my mind still on Logan’s words. Hasn’t your sous chef told you? The question echoes in my mind, over and over, like a broken record on repeat. As I busy myself with doling out the coffee, my eyes keep flicking to Karl. He’s listening to a story of Vanessa’s, laughin
Abby “Abby, I…” Karl’s voice wavers ever so slightly, his words trailing off. There are a few moments that feel like an eternity as his eyes dart around the room, and I feel like I can’t take it anymore. “Karl, just say it!” His eyes widen slightly as my voice raises an octave, but I’m not b
Karl The drive home feels like an eternity, each passing minute melting into the next. I can’t stop thinking about how I left Abby’s house, with nothing but a stiff hug and a half-smile. Abby’s words, or rather, her lack of words, continue to echo in my mind as I drive. I thought she might react
Abby The morning sun warms my tired body as I step out of my apartment. Chloe and Leah are waiting outside so we can all walk to work together, leaning against the wrought iron fence outside my apartment. “There’s the star chef,” Chloe says, pushing away from the fence as I approach. She’s weari
Abby Intrigued, I let Karl take my hand and lead me discreetly away from the reception, weaving through the tables and out a back door into the gardens. A mischievous grin plays on his lips as we giggle like teenagers, ducking behind hedges and scurrying across the lush green lawns. “Where are w
As the music shifts to a slow ballad, I feel a familiar pair of strong arms circle my waist from behind. “There’s my beautiful wife,” Karl’s deep voice rumbles in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He spins me around to face him, our bodies swaying in time to the soft music. I gaze up at him
Abby The reception hall is cast in a warm, romantic glow, with twinkling lights and the warm flickering of candles on every table. Soft music plays as Karl and I make our entrance, hand-in-hand to raucous applause and cheers from our guests. I can’t stop smiling as we wave to our loved ones gather
Abby The afternoon sun streaming in through the tall windows of the chapel casts the stones in a warm golden light, giving everything a sort of ethereal energy. I stand in the hallway, my arm linked with Anton’s, as the wedding coordinator prepares everyone to walk down the aisle. “Are you ready
Abby As I sit in front of the vanity mirror with the hair and makeup artist circling around me, I meet my friends’ gazes in the reflection; Chloe, Leah, Daisy, and even Elsie are here as my bridesmaids, each of them looking more beautiful than the last. “The seamstress really did do a great job
Abby With a gasp of excitement, I pull the wedding gown out of its box and hold it up in the light. Everything is perfect; the way the beadwork catches the light, the silky texture, the shape. I can’t wait to try it on now that it’s been altered to fit my body. Quickly, I slip out of my clothe
Abby “Abby, why don’t you sit down?” Karl looks up at me from where he’s sitting on the sofa, a look of concern on his face. He pats the spot next to him, but I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say, continuing to pace back and forth in our living room. “I won’t sit down until I hear back about that
Abby As I chop, stir, melt, and saute, the others stand around me, watching intently. The pasta simmers on the stove, the air smelling like warm butter and spices. It’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But my focus isn’t on the rumbling in my belly, nor is it even on the lingering pain in my
As we continue searching, I keep thinking back on our last harrowing hunt for black truffles; those poachers nearly shot us. Even now, I can still remember the sound of the bullets whizzing past my head, and the thuds they made when they careened into trees. “We got really lucky,” I say. “If we ha