Page 27 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
“I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Nero assured her. “He’d love to meet you. And watching the joy the bracelet will bring—well, it’s the best part of the job.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “Like when someone tastes your food for the first time and their eyes light up.”
“Exactly,” Nero said. “We both make joy.”
Sophie checked the time. “But my recipes, I have so much to do…”
“The kitchen’s not going anywhere,” he said with a grin. “And we’ll be back within the hour. You might even find inspiration along the way.”
She studied him, as if trying to read more than he said aloud. Then she nodded. “Okay. I’m ready when you are.”
Chapter Ten – Sophie
Following Nero to his car, she felt a pang of guilt. She should be working on her recipes, even though it was Sunday. Her throat tightened. Sundays had often been spent with Tito. It was the one day neither of them worked, making it easier to meet. Sometimes in public, where he’d introduce her as his recipe tester. Never once had he shared that she’d been his recipecreatorfor years.
Yes, that was another secret Tito kept close. He could cook, sure, but when it came to creativity, to trying new flavors or setting trends, he had nothing. His fame had been built on the backs of others. Of her.
Not that she believed using others’ work was inherently wrong. Plenty of chefs didn’t invent their own dishes, just like not every singer wrote their own songs. But the difference was, those chefs gave credit where it was due. And those songwriters earned royalties. Tito had always negotiated hard on Sophie’s fees. He was not a generous man. Not with money, and not with his love.
“Are you sure you want to come?” Nero asked as they reached the car. “I don’t want you to feel obliged. If you would rather use the kitchen…”
“No,” she replied quickly, aware she must have zoned out. “I want to come. And time away from my notes will give my ideas time to marinate.”
Nero cracked a grin. “I’ve never thought of it like that, but I know what you mean. Sometimes getting out of the workshop, being in nature, that’s when the ideas come. There’s so much inspiration out here.” He nodded toward the trees.
“Exactly,” she said as she slid into his bright red convertible. “It’s not exactly built for these mountain roads, is it?”
Nero patted the polished dashboard and said, “It’s worth getting stranded up here a few times a year just to have the pleasure of driving with the top down and the wind in your hair.”
“You make a good point,” Sophie agreed. There was something freeing about the feel of the wind in your hair. Even if it did nothing for her appearance. She’d have to detangle the knots later.
He started the car and drove away, top down. Sophie brushed her hair from her face, resisting the urge to whoop with joy. The ride was invigorating. The scenery, awe-inspiring. And the man beside her? Equally so. He stirred something inside her she hadn’t felt in far too long.
They drove on. Sophie stared up at the distant peaks, breathed in the scent of pine and earth, and marveled at the colors flashing past. No wonder Nero was inspired. She could feel it. And she wanted to taste it—to distill it all into the perfect selection of recipes.
“Do you smell that?” she asked, leaning forward as they rounded a bend. “Pine, and something sweet.”
“Wildflowers,” Nero answered, eyes on the road. “The bees love them. Makes the honey special.”
Sophie closed her eyes, letting the scent soak into her senses. “Pine-infused honey glaze,” she murmured. “Over a dark chocolate tart with fresh berries.”
Nero glanced at her, amusement in his eyes. “Creating already?”
“I can’t help it,” she admitted. “It’s how my mind works. Scents become flavors, feelings become textures.”
“Like how this drive feels like the first bite of something unexpectedly delicious?” he asked.
Sophie turned to look at him, surprised by his insight. “Yes, exactly like that.”
Their eyes met briefly before Nero returned his attention to the road. But in that fleeting moment, something passed between them, a recognition, a connection that went deeper than their brief acquaintance should allow.
The car slowed as they approached a small cabin nestled among towering pines. It was the perfect setting. Quiet, secluded.
The kind of place where two people could learn everything there ever was to know about another person. And love them unconditionally.
Sophie smiled at the sentiment. What would it be like, she wondered, to build a life with someone who would still look at you with the same love after fifty years that they had on your wedding day?
