The scent of rosemary and garlic curled through the air, wrapping around the nervous energy in the grand finale tent of *Culinary Titans*. The crowd was hushed. Only the rhythmic clatter of knives and sizzling pans broke the silence.

Across the steel counter, Adrian met Camille’s eyes. Her auburn hair was tucked into a loose bun, and a smudge of flour streaked her cheek. He'd noticed it three minutes ago but couldn't bring himself to tell her—not because he didn't want to, but because if he opened his mouth, he might say something far more dangerous.

They weren’t supposed to fall for each other. Not during the first heat, when they'd accidentally swapped salt for sugar and shared an awkward laugh. Not during week four, when they’d both chosen truffle oil in a mystery box challenge and traded recipes afterward. And definitely not now, in the final round, where one of them would walk away with a quarter-million dollars and a global culinary contract.

But they had.

“You're burning your shallots,” Camille said under her breath, not looking up from her own station.

Adrian cursed softly, snatching the pan off the flame. “Sabotaging me with kindness?” he teased.

“Maybe I just want to beat you fair.”

“Maybe I want you to win.”

She froze for half a second. Just enough for her soufflé batter to slump.

They cooked in silence after that. Not hostile. Not quite. More like the silence that settles between two people holding back too much.

The clock ticked down.

Ten minutes.

Camille plated a delicate duck breast over lavender-infused lentils. Adrian seared scallops with miso foam and matcha oil, stealing glances at her every few seconds.

Their hands brushed when they reached for the shared micro plane.

"Sorry," they said in unison.

Camille laughed nervously. “This is ridiculous.”

“You or me?” he asked, too low for anyone else to hear.

She didn't answer.

Five minutes.

Judges prowled behind them, whispering, observing. The host counted down. “Final touches, chefs!”

Camille garnished with edible violets. Adrian added flakes of smoked sea salt. Both dishes were stunning.

The buzzer sounded.

They stepped back.

And for the first time in weeks, they weren’t competitors. They were just... two people in love, waiting to be broken or bound by what came next.

The judges deliberated. Too long. Tension crackled like static.

“After much debate,” the head judge said, “the winner of Culinary Titans is…”

A pause. Too long.

“…Camille Hayes.”

Cheers erupted. Camille's eyes widened. Then, she turned—before the camera crew could swarm her—and threw her arms around Adrian.

“I didn’t want to win without you,” she whispered.

He smiled. “Good. Because I’m opening a restaurant in Napa. And I need a partner.”

Their kiss, when it came, was soft. Messy. Tasted faintly of salt and triumph.

The competition had ended.

But something else had just begun.