Page 11 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
“Tito, is he the one…?” Nero asked, his brow furrowing.
Sophie paused, realizing she’d said too much. “No one important. Just another man who thought it would be fun to play with my feelings.”
“I’m not playing with your feelings,” Nero said, his voice low and intense. “Sophie, look at me.”
Against her better judgment, she did. Those dark eyes held such sincerity that for a moment, she almost believed him.
“I know we just met,” he continued, “but I would never deliberately hurt you. What happened was an accident, a strange, unlikely accident—but I’m glad it happened because it meant I got to meet you.”
Sophie felt her resolve wavering. There was something about the way he looked at her, something that made her want to trust him despite everything.
“I need to finish packing up,” she said finally, neither accepting nor rejecting his explanation. “I have another session later.”
Nero nodded, respecting her need for space. “Can I at least help you carry these to the kitchen?”
Sophie hesitated, then nodded. “All right.”
As they walked side by side to the kitchen backstage, Sophie couldn’t help but notice how people watched them, whispering behind their hands. The video was spreading fast.
“Ignore them,” Nero said quietly, as if reading her thoughts. “People will find something else to talk about soon enough.”
“Easy for you to say,” Sophie muttered. “You’re not the one whose professional reputation is at stake.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve worked hard to build my brand as someone relatable and drama-free,” Sophie explained. “Eat it Simple with Sophie isn’t just a catchy slogan—it’s how I live my life. Or try to, anyway.”
They reached her stall, and Nero carefully set down the containers he’d been carrying.
“For what it’s worth,” he said, “I think your fans will understand. And if they’re true fans, they’ll care more about your amazing recipes than some viral video.”
Sophie couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “You really liked the appetizer that much?”
“It was incredible,” Nero confirmed. “And I’m not just saying that.”
Their eyes met again, and Sophie felt that same inexplicable pull toward him. It was maddening how her body seemed to ignore all the warning signals her brain was sending.
“I should go,” Nero said reluctantly. “But Sophie? I meant what I said about the vineyard. The invitation stands whenever you’re ready.”
As he walked away, Sophie found herself watching him go, wondering if she was making a mistake. But then her phone beeped again with another notification. More comments, more shares, more people talking aboutthe proposal.
She sighed heavily. No, she’d made the right choice. The last thing she needed was more complications in her life. Eat it Simple with Sophie. That was the plan, and she was sticking to it.
Even if a small part of her wished things could be different.
She turned on the faucet and filled the sink with hot water, then added a generous amount of dish soap, wishing she could wash away her worries.
And in a way, she did.
Sophie plunged her hands into the water, letting the heat seep into her skin. She began methodically washing each item, taking her time with the mixing bowls and whisks that had been used in her demonstration. The repetitive motion was meditative, allowing her thoughts to settle.
There was something deeply satisfying about this simple task. No cameras, no fans, no handsome men with dark eyes making her question her judgment. Just warm water, soap, and dirty dishes waiting to be transformed.
This was what she needed: normalcy. Routine. The very essence of what had made her brand successful.
As she rinsed a measuring cup, she found herself humming softly. The tension in her shoulders began to ease. By the time she reached for a towel to dry the first batch of clean utensils, she felt more centered than she had all day.
Sophie arranged the clean items in neat stacks on the counter, organizing them for her next demonstration. She would be making her signature rose-petal panna cotta with fresh berries—simple but elegant. Perfect for a wedding dessert that wouldn’t overwhelm after a heavy meal but would still feel special.
