Nadim seemed fine, though. Charming grin, spring in his step. He winked at her the moment headset lady gave the go-ahead to get their ingredients. And he kissed her cheek right before they started cooking.

So, Reena kept going. Pretended this was all real.

But it wasn’t easy. Within minutes of starting, Reena cut herself with her chef’s knife. She was able to wave down Anderson to get a bandage while Nadim took over duties requiring sharp implements.

She was putting the corn on the grill when the chef and camera crew arrived together.

“And here are our lovebirds! You know, you two have been so popular, I heard someone is creating actual fan-fiction of your wedding! How are you feeling going into the semifinals as crowd favorites? Pressure getting to you?”

Nadim grinned. “It’s like any other day cooking with my love.”

Michelle grinned. Reena had always liked Michelle Finley and had been excited to learn she would be the chef host for today.

“Tell us, Reena, why have you chosen to grill the corn with the husk off? Won’t the kernels get dried out?”

Thankfully, they’d expected this question. “This is how corn is cooked on streets in India and in East Africa. That’s where both Nadim and my family are from. The kernels are a little dryer this way, but I think the flavor is more concentrated. And after I sprinkle it with chili and lime, I guarantee, you’ll never want to grill corn with the husk on again.” She smiled as she turned the cobs using large tongs.

“Indo-East African cuisine seems to be a common thread between you two.”

Nadim grinned. “Completely. It feels like a relief to be committed to someone who not only comes from the same corner of the world as me, but who also understands that these recipes, passed down from our mothers and grandmothers, are like the cornerstone of our culture.”

“So, you think you two are so great together because of your shared cultural background?”

He laughed. “No! Not only. But we do have that bond. Honestly, I think food is why we work so well. I love being with someone who loves cooking and eating as much as I do. It feels like home, you know?”

“You two are an inspiration. If you win this thing, I’m going to insist the network give you a show dispensing relationship advice while cooking.”

Reena managed not to cringe. The thought of her giving anyone relationship advice was so laughable. And them together—the only advice they could give was how to grift others to win free cooking courses.

Because, as Nadim told her, this wasn’t real.

“Whoops!” Michelle pointed at the grill. “Smells like your corn might be a little too blackened. I’ll leave you for now, but I’ll be back to see what happens with that chicken!”

Sure enough, the corn was almost completely black on one side. Reena sighed as she turned the cobs around. Nadim’s hand landed on her waist.