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“I told you that’s so far from the truth. You are so much more than a glorified bartender.”
He took a bite of bacon. “Honestly, I’m starting to see that now. You kind of opened my eyes to it. And while I’m not going to quit, because really, I love my job, I want to make more time for something else I love.”
I wiped my mouth with a napkin. “And what’s that?”
“Finish your breakfast, and I’ll show you.”
Curiosity almost had me shoveling food into my face, but I managed to eat at a normal pace. When I finished, I helped Nero clean up. As I placed the last plate in the dishwasher, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the back door.
“Nero, I can’t go out there. I’m in my underwear.”
“I’m far enough from my neighbors. No one will see you.”
He hurried out the door and down the steps. My short legs did their best to keep pace. The crisp morning air brushed against my thighs and the cool grass beneath my feet calmed my mind. Nero peered at me, and there was trepidation in his eyes but also a childish excitement.
We stopped outside his barn. I glanced around, wondering what he was about to show me.
“I kind of have this hobby,” he said before opening the door and flipping on a light switch. The barn illuminated, and the smell of metal filled my nostrils. In front of me was a massive metal tree structure with pumpkins adorning each branch.
I gasped at the beauty, at the sheer size and technique. “Nero,” I managed, as I stepped closer to the elaborate tree full of twisting metal that formed intricate branches. The pumpkins weren’t just pumpkins, but jack-o'-lanterns with varying expressions, all haunting and beautiful.
“It still needs some work,” he said.
I spun so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash. “It’s perfect!”
“Really?” he asked, and for one of the few times in all the time I knew him, he looked completely and utterly unsure of himself.
“It’s stunning. Is this The Halloween Tree?”
He smiled, and the satisfaction that filled his face was just as beautiful as the tree. “It is.”
I walked around the structure, taking in all the little details and the pristine craftsmanship. “I had no idea you could do this.”
“It’s kind of my own personal secret. Except Char knows. She showed up one day.”
“When she told you to fight for me.”
“Yeah.”
“I need you to fight for yourself now. This is your passion,” I said, and he nodded. “I can tell. The work you’ve done. The quality. The detail. It’s how I am with my cakes. You have to let people know. You have to show this off.”
“I’m going to. This is for Albert’s scarecrow display. He has scarecrows of all the kids from the story and a mummy.”
“Of course.”
“I was going to make him keep my name anonymous.”
“No!” I shouted. “Absolutely not. Your family. The town. They need to see this. They need to know how talented you are. And it’s the perfect time. Your parents will be back from Italy for the wedding.” His parents had been traveling all over Europe since Gramps died. They’d come back for a bit but had taken off again at the beginning of the month.
“I said I was going to, but I decided against it. My name will be on the display with Albert’s.”
I threw my arms around him and pulled him close. “I am so happy for you. The town is going to lose their shit over this. Albert’s going to win and piss Odette off.”
He barked out a laugh, squeezed me tight, then took my hand, guided me around to the other side of the display. He excitedly pointed out all the little details, and I was more than happy to listen. I thought I knew everything there was about Nero Francis Grasso, but even he still managed to surprise me. I couldn’t wait to see what he’d surprise me with next.
It was a beautiful thing, discovering a passion, but watching someone else, someone I loved, discover theirs? There was nothing better.
The tasting room was filled with a very long table and more chairs than usual. Fairy lights were strung along the railings and beams. It was only the rehearsal dinner, but the place looked ready for a wedding. Sherry really knew how to pull an event together.
