It wasn’t going to happen.
He scratched at his neck, his earlier tension dissipating. “It’s a local charity called Grams’s Kids and it’s a small non-profit that provides essential supplies for foster kids newly integrated in the system.”
Alice sagged in her chair. Niko wasn’t giving his contribution to the cancer society, or a similar charity? He was donating to foster kids. Every time she heard the term it was like a sucker punch to the gut. Years floated away and old hurts surfaced in waves. She had spent two years with a retired couple. While her foster mother tried her best, she had six kids under her charge and Alice had taken advantage of the situation, keeping to herself and writing stories in her journal. No matter how caring the woman had been, the sense of abandonment Alice had felt as a little girl still lingered, and she crossed her arms against a sudden emptiness.
“Let’s wrap this up,” Alice said to Grace.
“Contestants, please go to the lounge while the judges deliberate,” Grace said.
Alice strolled over to the judges’ table, watching as Niko disappeared behind the black curtain. The ache in her chest intensified and she stiffened her spine. She was a grown woman, not a child. And this grown woman wanted the man walking away from her.
Desperately.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Niko crossed his arms, feet splayed apart on the mark, and waited for Grace to start the introductions. He half listened, trying to scan the audience for his family, but the lights were too bright and he couldn’t see a damn thing. Calm the fuck down. The suspense grated on his nerves. He wasn’t used to waiting to be judged. Usually, he came out the clear winner or loser but this was a competition of a different sort. Shit, he had another order of truffles to make by the next morning. No matter the outcome of the show, his shop didn’t shut down because he was otherwise occupied.
Alice stepped into his line of vision and stopped at the judges’ table. She wore her uniform, her hair pulled back into a severe bun, and tension lined her mouth. The sexy woman who’d kissed him with such passion had disappeared and professional, stern Alice had taken her place.
“Thank you, Grace. Now contestants, Frank will announce the winner of tonight’s round. Once the winner is announced, you’ll go with your AP to view the raw footage and comment on the processes you went through to get to the finished product.”
Great, reliving your loss, that sounds like fun. Niko drummed his fingers on his bicep until he caught himself. He had no room for self-doubt. His dessert was the most original, and all of the judges had seemed to like his peppermint bark. But this was a contest subjective to personal tastes. One of them would go home, regardless of how great of a chef they were. There could only be one winner and it had to be him. Ironic since he hadn’t wanted to be on the show to begin with.
Frank clasped his hands in front of him, brow furrowed. “Before we call the winner, I wanted to say you should all be proud of yourselves. The desserts were outstanding and it was a tough decision. Someone has to be eliminated. The chef who will be leaving us tonight is…”
Niko and the rest of the contestants turned their head as the light over station one went out.
“Sorry, Chef Dean, but you won’t be moving on. We wish you the best,” Grace said.
The knot in Niko’s stomach dissolved and he dropped his hands to his side. He shook Dean’s hand, and watched her walk off the set. The AP met her, and they disappeared into the stage area.
Son of a bitch, he did it.
He couldn’t help but grin as he met Diana Field laughing dark eyes. During the time in the lounge, he’d struck up a rapport with the veteran and he genuinely liked her, as well as Chef Dean. Chef Holston wasn’t his favorite. He’d met plenty of guys like him in the ring and in the kitchen, arrogant and full of themselves. Niko didn’t care if Holston was classically trained, he intended to kick the guy’s culinary ass.
“And cut. Thank you, judges, we’ll see you in a few days. Contestants and APs, time to do the post-show interview. Niko, if you wait by your station, I’ll join you in a moment,” Alice said, her tone clipped and devoid of animation. Since Dean was gone, would she pawn him off on Dean’s AP? She’d been evasive since he’d come on the set earlier. No doubt she regretted what happened between them and he wished he felt the same. She turned away, purposely avoiding his gaze as she pressed the earpiece closer to her ear. Her engagement ring flashed in the light.
Niko rubbed his face and marched to his station, his temples beginning to throb. If she was still wearing Richard’s ring, he had his answer.
“Uncle Niko, Uncle Niko,” Chloe came running into the kitchen, followed by Hallie. His niece threw her arms around his waist. Although her body was emaciated from the disease, her grip was impressive. He hugged her back. This was all for her benefit and allowing his own disappointment to intrude was doing her a disservice.
“That was so cool. I knew you’d win; I knew it.” She giggled, her happiness contagious.
He tweaked her nose and swallowed the lump in his throat. The stress and sleepless night must be catching up with him. Since he’d walked on set, he’d experienced a myriad of adverse emotions, and he was glad tonight was almost over. “I didn’t win, not yet. I am moving to the next round. Did you like my tree?”
Chloe yawned and wiped the back of her hand over her eyes. It had been a long day and it was about to get longer for Niko. “It was so cool. Will you make me one? It was precious.”
“Not as precious as you.”
The click of her heels preceded Alice. He glanced up and met her gaze. She offered a shy smile, his earlier hope returning before he quashed it.
“Hi Chloe, did you have fun watching the show?” Alice asked.
She moved out of Niko’s arms and nodded; cheeks flushed. “I did, but it sure took a long time for the judges to make up their mind. It doesn’t look that long on TV.”
Alice clutched the notepad to her chest and tilted her head. There was gentleness in her eyes when she looked at Chloe, vulnerability in direct contrast to her staid exterior. “That’s because we edit the footage. Believe it or not, that was quick. I’ve had hour-long deliberations before. We’re going to view the footage and have Niko comment on it. If it’s all right with your mom, you’re welcome to stay and watch.”
He spared a glance at Hallie and read the resignation in her eyes. Chloe was tired and it wouldn’t do to wear her out but she wasn’t going to be happy with her mother. It was yet another difficult part of having a sick child, denying them anything.
