Brenda patted her pockets then looked at Kelly’s phone. “Oh, gosh. You can see this.” She held Kelly’s phone out to her.

Kelly started laughing. “Aww. Sara knew I’d be missing Gray.”

“That pig is yours?”

She nodded. “Sure is. He fit in a teacup when I got him. He’s a lot bigger now, but I was already attached. He’s really sweet. Sara works for me, and she’s taking care of Gray while I’m here.”

“I’ve never known anyone who had a pet pig.” Brenda looked at the picture again. “He is cute though.”

Brenda’s radio came to life again. “Everyone back on set. Individual kitchens.”

“Oh my gosh.” Kelly’s knees went weak. “This is it?”

“It is.” She extended a hand to Kelly to help her stand.

“Wish me luck.” Kelly headed to the door and tried to remember to breathe.

Brenda gave her a thumbs up.

Over the speakers, a voice directed the contestants to stand behind their counters on the green X.

Kelly located the green X on the floor and moved into place.

“Thank you. In five…four…three…two…”

The LIVE light went green, and Kelly felt like she was probably close to the same shade. She pasted a smile on her face.

She heard the welcome back from the commercial, and then the judges began talking about the desserts in this round.

“Not an easy round to judge,” Chef Georgie said.

Martin’s voice boomed. “Each of our contestants are back in their individual kitchens. We’re watching them on the screen here in the studio audience. Chefs, in front of each of you is a covered plate.”

Kelly’s stomach churned.

“You’ll each raise the cover and whoever doesn’t have a Valentine on their plate…I’m sorry, you have been eliminated.”

Kelly’s hand shook as she placed it atop the shiny dome.

“Ready? Go!”

She lifted the plate, her eyes filling with tears of anticipation. Then she spotted the bright, funny Valentine on the plate. The kind you’d exchange in grade school. She picked it up and waved it in the air. “Yes!” She held her hand to her heart and leaned forward to catch her breath.

Judge Chef Abraham spoke. “I’m sorry, Frank. Your dessert was quite delicious. We enjoyed the dark chocolate shortbread, but the flavors were a little all over the place and since you left the conversation hearts out completely, we had to eliminate you in this round.” The New York accent only made the message sound even harsher.

“I’m sorry. Frank Wells, you have been eliminated from this round,” Martin said.

Frank said, “It was an honor to even be on the show.”

Kelly lifted her chin toward the speaker with a weird sense of guilt for eavesdropping.

Martin continued, “You’re the Executive Pastry Chef at the Elk Traxx Ski Resort in Colorado.”

“That’s right,” Frank said.