Page 17 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
And Jules had been there through it all, helping arrange their secret dates, managing Sophie’s calendar to create those private moments. Had she been laughing the entire time? Planning her own rendezvous with Tito the moment Sophie was out of sight?
“God,” Sophie whispered, sliding deeper into the water until it covered her face completely. The muffled silence beneath the surface was a momentary escape from the humiliation burning through her.
When her lungs began to protest, she resurfaced with a gasp, pushing wet hair from her eyes. Water sloshed over the tub’s edge as she sat up suddenly, struck by a realization.
She didn’t have to go back yet.
Sophie reached for her wine glass, mind racing. There was nothing physically tying her to her apartment right now. She could work remotely—develop recipes anywhere with a decent kitchen. Her agent had spent months trying to persuade her to focus on her own cookbook rather than ghostwriting for others.
“I could stay,” she murmured, the idea taking shape. “Right here in Bear Creek.”
She could rent a place for a few weeks. Somewhere quiet, with a good kitchen where she could develop recipes both for Tito’s book and her own.
Her own book. The thought sent a thrill through her that had nothing to do with the wine. All day, fans approached her, telling her how her recipes had changed their lives and given them confidence in the kitchen. They weren’t following her because of Tito’s celebrity; they were following her for her approach to food.
A quick glance at her phone told her it was too late to call her agent now. But tomorrow she would run the idea past him. If he okayed it, she would find somewhere with a kitchen and cook to her heart’s content. Cook to forget. Cook to mend her broken heart.
Sophie set her wine glass on the edge of the tub and sank deeper into the bubbles, feeling the first real sense of direction she’d had since walking in on Tito and Jules. The thought of staying in Bear Creek, surrounded by mountains instead of memories, felt right in a way she couldn’t quite explain.
She would need to find a place to stay—somewhere with more than just this cramped hotel kitchenette. A rental cabin, perhaps? Something rustic but functional, where she could spread out her ingredients and work without interruption.
Though there was one interruption she wouldn’t mind.
And his name was Nero Thornberg.
Chapter Seven – Nero
Nero Thornberg had been up all night working on the emerald bracelet for Norman and sketching designs for a gift for Sophie.
Our mate,his bear said happily.
Our mate,Nero echoed, though he wouldn’t be happy until he convinced her to stay in Bear Creek.
He studied the bracelet, admiring the way the gold clasp now lay perfectly aligned, the delicate filigree work restored to its original splendor. He’d spent hours meticulously matching the two missing emeralds, digging through his collection of vintage stones until he found ones with the same cut and that deep, verdant glow. The new gems caught the light like their older companions, scattering tiny green sparks across his workbench.
A few more hours, and it would be as good as new. But first, he needed coffee.
And food,his bear reminded him.
And food,Nero agreed, considering his options. There was little in his cupboards to tempt him, and so he stepped out of his workshop and into his car, aiming for the bakery that made the best cinnamon bear claws. He drove with the top down, despite the early morning chill. When he reached the fork in the road, he hesitated. The route to Bear Bluff and the Catherine Hotel tempted him, the call of his mate like a siren song. But he resisted that temptation, and instead, he turned toward Bear Creek.
He wasn’t ready to face Sophie again. Not yet.
Especially since you’re still in yesterday’s clothes and need a shower,his bear said dryly.
Nero glanced down at his rumpled shirt and waistcoat. Fair point. He’d grab a bite and head home. If he started on Sophie’s gift now, he might finish it in time to give it to her as a sort of apology for the accidental proposal, for everything.
He wasn’t sure if it was enough to make her stay, but he hoped it might be enough to make her see he was a good guy.
Not much of a plan,his bear muttered.
I know, I’m still working out the details,Nero replied as he pulled up outside the bakery.These things cannot be rushed.
Much like one of your creations,his bear said.
Exactly.Nero climbed out of the car and stretched his arms above his head, working out the kinks in his back. He’d been hunched over his workbench for so long it felt as if he was bent out of shape.
You are,his bear said with some amusement.
