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The night before the finale, Drew paced his apartment, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He tried to focus on the challenge ahead, on the dishes the contestants would present, but his thoughts kept drifting to Kelsi. Her growth over the competition had been nothing short of remarkable. She’d started as a talented influencer with potential, but now, she was a true chef, a force in her own right.
But with his pride in her came a heavy weight of responsibility. Tomorrow, he would have to judge her impartially. The entire culinary world would be watching, and any hint of favoritism could ruin both their careers and the show’s integrity.
A knock at the door startled him. Glancing at the clock—2:37 AM—he frowned. Who could be here at this hour? He opened the door to find Kelsi standing there, looking just as restless as he felt.
“Hi,” she said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I couldn’t sleep... I needed to see you.”
Without a word, Drew pulled her inside and into his arms. The tension in his chest eased the moment he held her close, the world outside fading away as he focused on the steady rhythm of her breathing.
“You should be resting,” he said gently, brushing a strand of pink hair away from her face. “Big day tomorrow.”
Kelsi sighed, her head resting against his chest. “I know, but my mind wouldn’t stop. I kept thinking about the finale, about us, about what comes after...”
Drew led her to the couch, sitting close, their hands automatically finding each other. “Kelsi,” he began, his voice serious, “you know tomorrow, when I’m judging...”
“I know,” she interrupted, squeezing his hand. “You have to be impartial. I wouldn’t expect anything less, Drew. Your honesty, your dedication to the craft—that’s why I fell for you.”
Her words, simple yet full of meaning, warmed him in ways he hadn’t realized he needed. “You’re amazing, you know that?” he whispered, pulling her closer. “No matter what happens tomorrow, I want you to know how proud I am of you. Of the chef—and the person—you’ve become.”
Kelsi’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she smiled. “I wouldn’t be here without you,” she said. “You pushed me, challenged me to see food—and myself—differently. I’m a better chef because of you.”
They sat together in comfortable silence, both lost in their thoughts. For Drew, it was hard to believe how much had changed since the show began. He’d gone from seeing Kelsi as an ambitious influencer to recognizing her as a talented chef—and, more unexpectedly, the woman he loved.
“What are you thinking about?” Kelsi asked quietly, her voice breaking the stillness.
Drew smiled softly, running his fingers through her hair. “I’m thinking about how lucky I am. How this show, which I almost didn’t do, brought you into my life. And how, no matter what happens tomorrow, I don’t want to lose this—us.”
Kelsi sat up, her gaze steady and unwavering. “Drew, whatever happens after the finale, however our relationship comes to light—I’m in this. All the way. I won’t let anything come between us.”
Her conviction made his heart swell. Drew leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that spoke all the words he couldn’t express. It was slow, tender, and full of the promise that, together, they could face whatever came next.
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.
