Free Worth the Risk by Meryl Sawyer Page A

that was one thing, but if she didn’t, then summer school was the best place for her.
    The curtains parted to reveal a spacious stage with a podium in the center. On a table stood a large silver trophy and an easel with a huge mock-up of the thousand-dollar check the winner would receive. The other side of the stage had a table with the desserts on it. Seated in the rear were the judges and several other people, including Brad and Charmayne.
    Lexi tried to relax, but it was impossible. The air in the huge room seemed to be electrified as Brad was introduced and stepped up to the microphone.
    Looking very handsome, he smiled at the audience. Lexi warned herself that Amber might not be the only Morrison to be disappointed today. What if Brad left without talking to her?
    “I want to thank our judges for their hard work in both rounds of this Light-and-Healthy Bake-Off,” Brad told the audience.
    Lexi barely listened as he introduced the chefs who’d judged the contest. Get a grip, she told herself. Win or lose—her sister would need her. The contestants were seated in the first row with their backs to the group. Lexi could see Amber’s glossy-brown hair but not her face.
    “I’d like you all to meet Charmayne Collins,” Brad said, “pastry chef at Black Jack’s. The winner will be interning with her this summer, in addition to winning the prize money.
    “My goal in sponsoring this contest is to help combat childhood obesity. I was an overweight kid myself. I know how being overweight can make you miserable, wreck your health. People need to think about what they eat.”
    Charmayne added, “That’s where I come in as a pastry chef. Everyone loves dessert, but it isn’t always good for us. That’s why we’ve asked contestants to create healthier desserts with reduced sugar and fat.”
    “We have some really outstanding desserts here tonight,” Brad said. “The judges told me it was difficult to pick a winner. In fact just one vote separated the first runner-up and the winner.”
    “Maybe we should announce the second runner-up,” Charmayne cut in.
    “Right,” Brad conceded with a smile. “I almost got ahead of myself.”
    The audience laughed politely, but Lexi mentally crossed her fingers. Please, please. Let Amber win. Despite the havoc it would cause, Lexi wanted her sister to win. She’d tried so hard, and she was truly an excellent cook.
    “Second runner-up goes to Taylor Jamison for her Waldorf Cupcakes.”
    It took a few minutes for Taylor to come forward and accept her award, then thank everyone who’d helped her. Lexi stared at the back of Amber’s head, willing her to turn around so she could smile her encouragement, but her sister remained facing forward.
    “The next award is special,” Brad said when Taylor had left the stage. “This entry came within one vote of giving us a tie. The first runner-up is a fabulous cook with a real future. The prize for first runner-up goes to Amber Morrison for her Diva Torte.”
    A wild flash of disappointment ripped through Lexi. Oh, no. Amber had lost by one vote. How terrible to come so close yet not win.
    “The recipe makes excellent use of beets—you’d never guess they were beets—to achieve the red color,” continued Brad. “She used grape seed oil instead of less healthy oil and agave nectar for sweetness.”
    Amber was approaching the podium now. She must be heartsick, Lexi thought, but she sported a smile as she accepted the small trophy.
    “I encourage all of you to think about what you’re eating,” she told the audience. “Go for light and healthy!” She started to step away from the microphone. “Oh, and a huge thanks to my teacher, Mrs. Geffen, and my sister, Lexi.”
    Lexi watched as Amber left the stage, her runner-up trophy in the crook of her arm. She kept a smile on her face as she returned to her seat. Lexi listened politely while the winner was announced. A burly youth who looked as if he’d be more at home on a