Page 9 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
Nero laughed and shook his head. “I promise.”
After thanking Mauve for the cake, Nero headed for another cup of coffee. The sweet treat had helped, but he was still feeling the effects of having skipped breakfast and lunch. What he really wanted was a decent meal, something nutritious.
Preferably with our mate sitting across the table from us,his bear said longingly.
I don’t think that is happening anytime soon,Nero replied.Since she said no to coffee, I don’t think she is going to say yes to dinner.
He made himself a coffee and then headed toward the main stage, where Sophie was about to begin her demonstration. Finding a spot near the back of the gathering crowd, he watched as she confidently stepped onto the stage.
Sophie moved with confidence and grace, explaining each step of her recipes with clear, concise instructions that made everything seem achievable. Her hands worked quickly but precisely, chopping herbs with practiced ease, whisking ingredients together with a flick of her wrist. The aromas wafting from the stage made Nero’s stomach growl audibly.
She sure can cook,he thought admiringly.
She would make an ideal mate,his bear said,since you are all about forgetting to eat.
Nero couldn’t argue with that. He had a tendency to get lost in his work. Hours passed before he realized he hadn’t eaten. Having someone who understood food, who could create such mouthwatering dishes with apparent ease, was yet another sign they were meant to be together.
As Sophie finished her demonstration, Finn stepped onto the stage to thank her. She smiled graciously and offered him a taste of one of her creations. Finn accepted eagerly, and Nero felt a sharp stab of jealousy as his brother savored the bite.
“These dishes are wonderful!” Finn announced to the applauding crowd, who began to disperse after the presentation ended.
Catching Nero’s eye, Finn beckoned him over. Nero shook his head firmly, not wanting to intrude on Sophie again.
Go,his bear urged.This is our chance.
With a resigned sigh, Nero headed to the edge of the stage.
“Nero!” Finn called out, feigning surprise. “You must come try this.”
Sophie jerked her head up from where she was clearing the dirty bowls, her eyes widening slightly when she spotted him.
“Do you mind?” Finn asked her. “He hasn’t eaten, and he gets grouchy.”
Sophie looked a little amused as Nero shook his head and rolled his eyes at his brother’s transparent matchmaking.
“Sure?” she said, her response sounding more like a question than an answer. Then she furrowed her brow. “Wait. Thornberg, you two are brothers?”
Nero nodded and said, “Yes, we are.”
Sophie’s expression clouded with confusion as she looked between them. “So when you said your brother texted you the wrong stall number...”
“I meant him,” Nero confirmed, gesturing toward Finn, who had the decency to look sheepish.
“It was an honest mistake,” Finn insisted, though the twinkle in his eye suggested otherwise.
“Right,” Sophie said slowly, clearly not entirely convinced. She hesitated, then picked up a small plate with one of her appetizers. “Here. You should try this if you’re hungry.”
Nero accepted the plate, their fingers brushing momentarily. The contact sent a jolt of awareness through him that he struggled to hide. “Thank you.”
He locked eyes with Sophie. Had she felt it, too? That shock of recognition.
That knowing that this was the person you were meant to be with for the rest of your life.
But what he saw there said something else. As her eyes darkened and narrowed, he saw suspicion. And the way she looked at him said that he was the last person she was meant to spend the rest of her life with.
Chapter Four – Sophie
Were they in this together? When Nero introduced himself, she hadn’t made the connection between him and the guy who had helped organize the wedding expo.
