Page 10 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
But now she had made the connection. Now she knew Nero was Finn Thornberg’s brother... That would sure give Nero a motive to make the kind of scene that would go viral on social media. It would certainly give the wedding expo the kind of exposure money could not buy.
She’d been set up. Used, again.
“I should get this all cleared away,” Sophie said, needing to compose herself, needing time to think. Had the recent events with Tito made her read more into this, to see something that wasn’t there?
“I’ll give you a hand,” Nero said. He hadn’t even touched the food she’d given him.
“No, please, eat. It would be a shame to let it go to waste.” She gave a tight smile.
“Oh,” Nero looked down at the food.
“It’s good,” Finn said, “Really good.” Then he looked across the room. “Oh, I’m needed over there.” With that, he gave Nero a quick look. “Your food is delicious, Sophie.”
“Thanks,” she replied, still not sure if they had set her up. “Eat,” she said to Nero. Not just because he looked as if he needed to eat, but because she wanted him to try her dishes. She wanted him to like her recipes.
Goodness, why did it matter to her if this particular man liked her food? But it did matter.
Her eyes lingered on him as he took a bite of her prosciutto-wrapped fig with honey drizzle. Nero gave her a small smile and then took a mouthful. His eyes widened as he savored the flavors, and she found herself smiling, happy that he liked it. As she watched him, there seemed to be an openness to him. When she’d spoken to him earlier, she’d found him earnest. She’d believed him in her gut.
“You like it?” Sophie asked, wanting to hear him speak.
“It’s one of the best things I have ever tasted. Pair it with a Thornberg Rosé and it would be heaven.”
“You know your wines,” Sophie said.
“My parents own a vineyard,” Nero said.
“Really?” she asked, and then she made the connection. Wow, she was slow today. That marriage proposal sure had knocked the sense out of her. “Thornberg Vineyard,” she said. “Of course, it’s here in Bear Creek.”
“It is,” Nero said. “It’s in the mountains. I grew up there.”
“What’s it like?” Sophie found herself asking, genuinely curious despite her reservations.
“Beautiful,” Nero’s face lit up with pride. “Rows of vines stretching across the mountainside, catching the light at sunset. The main house is this old hacienda-style building my great-grandfather built. And the air…” he closed his eyes briefly, “…you can smell the earth and the grapes and the pine trees all at once.”
“It sounds wonderful,” Sophie admitted, momentarily forgetting her suspicions.
“You should come see it,” Nero said, his expression hopeful. “I could show you around. Maybe you could even do a tasting?”
Sophie hesitated. The invitation was tempting…professionally, it would be interesting to see a local vineyard,and personally...well, there was something about Nero that drew her in despite her better judgment.
Her phone beeped in her pocket. She pulled it out, seeing a notification that she’d been tagged in a post. When she opened it, her stomach dropped. There it was, Nero on one knee before her, ring box in hand, her shocked expression captured perfectly. The video already had hundreds of comments and shares.
She groaned inside as color flooded her face.
“No,” she said, “Thank you. But I am only in town for a couple of days.”
“Is everything okay?” Nero asked, noticing her sudden change in demeanor.
Sophie turned her phone toward him. “It seems our little moment has gone viral.”
Nero winced as he watched the video. “Sophie, I’m so sorry. This isn’t what I wanted.”
“Isn’t it?” The words came out sharper than she intended. “Your brother runs this expo, you show up with a ring...it all seems a bit convenient for a ‘mistake,’ doesn’t it?”
“That’s not…”
“I’ve had enough of being made a fool of,” Sophie cut him off, gathering her demonstration materials with quick, efficient movements. “First Tito, now this.”
