Page 150 of Offside Rules

"I don’t want to block him. I just want him to get the hint that I am not going to be taking his calls right now."

"Then silence him."

"I did. It still lights up."

She holds out her hand.

I give her the phone before I start crying over a piece of sugar.

Ellie changes something in the settings, then puts it back beside me.

"You’ll still get everyone else."

It’s not exactly what I want. I’ve never blocked my brother before, but I have a lot to do today to get the gala order done. I need a clear mind which is already full of Wolf and his shoulder.

"Thank you."

She looks at the fondant stuck to my stamp.

"Want me to do those for a while?"

"No. I can do this. I just need to stop thinking about last night."

I peel off the ruined piece and add it to the little pile beside my elbow.

Apparently, I can do most of these.

Behind us, a mixer starts up. Ellie’s head baker is working through my cupcake recipes with two people from her crew. They’ve already got the next batches lined up, ingredients weighed into bowls and trays ready beside the ovens.

That was supposed to be my job.

Then I lost count of the flour while measuring. Twice.

The second time, Ellie took the bowl out of my hands and gave me something I could do sitting down.

I’m a professional baker who apparently requires supervision to count cups today.

Not ideal timing.

A couple other bakers are dipping the cake pops and sprinkling with the foundation's color scheme.

Tomorrow, I’m responsible for the gala desserts. Saturday, I’m supposed to meet the property manager, sign the paperwork, and get the keys to my shop.

Kendall texted this morning. Wolf made it to Boston, his dad is with him, and they’ve taken him into surgery.

I know where he is. I know he isn’t alone.

I still want to hear his voice, and I can't shake the feeling that I should be there, waiting for him to get out. We’re not together anymore, even though he told me that he loved me last night. He told me that I needed to do this… so I’m doing this, but I hate that it feels wrong to be on the wrong coast. He’s so far away.

I wipe my hands before picking up my phone and opening our messages.

Me: Did you get there okay?

Me: I know you’re probably busy with the doctors. Just let me know when you can.

Me: Thinking about you.

The last one has been sitting there for almost an hour.