It was the first of three rounds in the annual cooking competition at Myrtle Beach. Maria Wall was getting very anxious, because this year could be the year she won. The 30 time champion, Matt Payne, had retired and was now the judge. Maria had always come up second or third to Matt, but this year, she had a chance.

“Maria! Are you listening to me?” her boyfriend of three years, Evan asked. “I was asking you if I could have a kiss before you go kick butt.”

Maria giggled and gave Evan a kiss on the cheek. “I have to be up there in five minutes, and I was just imagining myself winning and opening a restaurant with the winnings.”

Evan laughed. “That’s my girl. Always thinking about winning. Make sure you save me some of that winning food.”

Maria nodded and was about to say something else when they called all the contestants up on stage.

The competition began.

The first task was to make an appetizer, and as Maria was working on her fried and stuffed okra and cheese bites, she noticed this young man about her age working alongside her. He was also making fried okra bites, but without the cheese. Maria groaned. A copycat. Great.

The young man smiled at her and said, “I’m Andrew. I see we have the same taste in appetizers.”

Maria smiled at him. “I guess so. But don’t distract me. I have a competition to win.”

Andrew smiled at her. “So do I.”

When the time had run out, it was time to announce the Winner of the first round.

“Maria Wall.”

Maria gasped and jumped up and down.

Only 2 more rounds, and the Chef hat would be hers!

During the second round, she decided to make her famous chicken alfredo. Andrew was making chicken Parmesan this time, and Maria had to admit, It smelled delicious. Andrew caught her looking at him and waved, causing Maria to blush. She cursed herself. “Maria, what are you doing? You literally have a boyfriend that loves you, and you love him!”

As she was saying this to herself, she saw Evan wave at her. She smiled and waved back, but she didn’t blush like she usually did when she saw Evan. Did she even love him anymore? Maria tried to shake the thought out of her head, but every thought in her mind was thinking of Andrew. Maria sighed. Yes, she’d probably have to break up with Evan. She loved Andrew, and she knew it. She felt someone brush her arm, and she looked up from her dish. “Are you okay?” It was Andrew. “Yeah, just having a little crisis. Can we talk?” Andrew nodded and laughed. “Of course, Maria.”

He said her name so smoothly Maria thought she would faint.

They went to the storage room ‘for more ingredients’ and Andrew sat her down on a bag of flour while he sat on bags of flaxseed across from her. “What’s up, Maria?” He asked, grabbing her hands in his.

Maria took a deep breath and said, “Okay, so I really really like you but I already have a boyfriend but I want to break up with him because I don’t love him anymore I love you.”

Andrew laughed. “I love you too. I’ve never had a girlfriend since my girlfriend died in a car accident 3 years ago. We were 19 back then. I was planning on proposing to her the next weekend, but….the accident happened. We had been dating since we were 14. I knew it was time to ask her to be my wife. We wanted to start a family together.”

Maria put a hand on Andrew’s shoulder and wiped away his tears. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m here now. I’ll be your girlfriend as soon as I break up with Evan.” Andrew smiled and kissed Maria on the cheek. “I love you.” He said, and stood up. “We have a competition to finish though.” Maria nodded and he helped her up. They walked out of the storage room together, back to their stations.

Andrew won the main meal round. Maria didn’t want to beat him as badly anymore. In between the second and third round, she had the hard conversation with Evan, and he immediately left. “I don’t want to see your face anymore.” Were his last words as he left. Maria was crying, but Andrew came over and kissed her. “It’s okay, honey. Let’s win the competition. Together. Then we can open your-our dream restaurant.” Maria hugged him around the neck, and they shared a kiss on the lips, which was seen by everyone there. Matt Payne saw this as well and said, “Well folks, the competitors in the running to win look like they have a little relationship going. 22 year olds Andrew Ivan and Maria Wall.”

Maria and Andrew broke apart blushing.

Andrew took her and hand and led her back to her station, hugged her, and then took his place at his station.

The last round was dessert. Andrew was making tiramisu, and Maria was making crème brûlée.

Andrew would go past her station and leave ingredients that she had requested, along with a hug or a kiss. She would do the same for him, and the crowd loved it. When the timer ran out and they had to put down their stuff, Andrew and Maria hugged each other tightly, waiting for the results. “In third place, with his strawberry cheesecake that is to DIE for, Peter Robey. And now, in first place, with an AMAZING dessert and INCREDIBLE performance today alongside her new boyfriend, Maria Wall, with the most amazing crème brûlée I have ever tasted! And of course, that leaves Andrew Ivan in second, with his incredible tiramisu.”

Maria squealed and went to go receive her award. When she got back, she ran into Andrew’s arms, kissing him on the lips. She had done it. Her and Andrew had done it.