My Michelin Star, Her Mad Pursuit

My promotion to sous-chef was supposed to be my moment.

Finally, validation for years of grinding in Chicago's cutthroat restaurant scene.

But then he walked in: Ryan Blakely, Nicole's high school sweetheart, flaunting a vintage Mustang key.

"I figured you'd look better in the passenger seat of this than his sensible sedan," he sneered, a direct shot at my hard-earned life.

Then Nicole, my girlfriend, took the key and looked at me with pity.

"He just doesn't get it. Too serious all the time," she dismissed, right in front of everyone.