Gemotions

The harsh words about Chef Vivian's lobster bisque resonated in the otherwise quiet kitchen. She should have been mortified, but instead, a strange tingle ran through her veins. She reread the critique, each sentence a blow, yet her focus was on the critic’s presence, his quiet observation. She found herself recalling his thoughtful gaze, his sharp wit, the way he carried himself with an air of sophisticated intrigue.

She knew what she had to do. She would start anew. She would buy better lobster, use more stock, season with all her heart. It was not about the restaurant, she realized, but about him. The critic would be back, and she would be ready, a changed person, a better chef, all for him.