Free Some Like It Spicy by Robbie Terman

crew wearing jock straps.” He stepped closer.
    Glass jars clanged as Ashton backed against a spice rack. The combination of earthy herbs and sweet and spicy filled her nostrils and made her dizzy. “Only half? I’m losing my touch.” The room seemed to close in on them, and she gasped for air.
    Ty’s eyes smoldered as he closed the gap between them.
    Boom.
    A crash from the other room startled them both, and they jumped away from each other. Ashton’s breath came hard and heavy. “What was that?”
    Ty walked to the door and glanced out. “A light fell.” He turned back and raked a hand through his hair. “I should go.” His voice was thick. “We’ll probably start filming soon. Good luck.”
    Halfway out the door, he turned back. A smile touched his lips. “And Ashton, don’t forget the salt.”
    “Oh!” Ashton grabbed the nearest object, a roll of paper towels, and threw it at the door, but Ty had already cleared the room, laughter echoing in his wake.

    “Hello, everyone, and welcome to the new season of The Next Celebrity Chef . I’m your host and head judge, Ty Cates. This year, we’ve got our most talented contestants yet.”
    “Let’s do it again.” Sally moved toward Ty. “You stumbled over a few words.” She moved out of sight of the camera and called action. This time, Ty called a halt to the filming to sneeze.
    The more takes they did, the more nervous Ashton became. She shifted from foot to foot, anxious to start cooking.
    Finally, Ty got an introduction both he and Sally were happy with.
    “Our first elimination challenge,” Ty continued, “will give our chefs the chance to show their individual styles. Chefs, you will make one of your signature dishes, something that will tell the judges who you are.”
    “Cut,” Sally yelled. “We’re going to reposition the cameras. You must stay at your table. Do not take out any supplies or ingredients.”
    The nerves in Ashton’s stomach quelled slightly. She knew exactly what she was going to make—her lobster mac and cheese. The dish was the most popular one in her restaurant.
    She wrote down a few quick steps to follow; not because she needed them, but in case nerves got the better of her.
    “We’re ready,” Sally shouted.
    Ty stood on his marker, waited for the camera to roll. “You will have two hours. And the challenge starts…now!”
    Time flew by as Ashton lost herself in cooking, and suddenly Ty was shouting out that they had five minutes remaining.
    Ashton grabbed a platter to begin plating. To her horror, her hand shook like an addict in need of a fix. She dropped the serving spoon and put her hands behind her back, praying the camera hadn’t caught sight of the affliction.
    A few long, deep breaths should have helped, but didn’t. With only two minutes left on the clock, she had no choice but to finish plating, shaking hands and all.
    She had just added some freshly grated Parmesan as garnish when the buzzer hit zero. The chefs were instructed to stop what they were doing and step back. Ashton walked away from the table to catch her breath.
    Duffy let out a loud whoop , and a few of the chefs clapped as the intensity of the last two hours died away.
    “How does everyone feel?” Ty asked.
    “Like I just ran a marathon,” Duffy responded.
    Anthony had a hand on his chest. “Now I know how the warning signs of a heart attack feel.”
    Ashton agreed with Anthony. Her own heart pounded painfully and even breathing seemed difficult. When she was finally able to turn back, she found Ty’s gaze on her. He quickly twisted his head side to side, and then he mouthed, Are you okay?
    She gave a slight nod, cheeks heating that he even had to ask.
    “Claude and Andrea will be here in a moment to join Ty at the judges’ table,” Sally told them. “Then, you will each present your dish. When each chef has presented, you’ll all go back into the Wreck Room while the judges taste your dish. After, we bring you back out for