Page 153 of Offside Rules

"He told me he loved me."

Ellie puts the brush down.

"I was going to tell him too. Then Beau showed up, and everything…" I shake my head. "I didn’t even get to finish."

She reaches for me.

This time, I let her.

"I should be there," I say against her shoulder.

"I know you want to be."

"He was scared of the surgery before any of this happened."

She holds me a little tighter and I close my eyes.

Last night, he told me he wouldn’t make me choose. I told him he was worth choosing. I don’t know how to make it clearer than that. He let go anyway, like he had to in order to protect my dream.

And I don’t know how to be angry about it while I’m this worried about him.

When Ellie steps back, she gets me a tissue and moves the finished decorations farther from my side of the table.

"Thanks," I tell her.

"I’m protecting the merchandise."

I laugh a little, wipe my face, then get up to wash my hands.

There’s work I can do.

For now, that has to be enough.

I’ve finished another tray of decorations when the front kitchen door swings open.

Peyton comes through carrying two coffees. Natalia is behind her with Isla, and all three stop when they see me.

I look toward Ellie.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Ellie said you could use some help with tomorrow’s order," Peyton says, putting the coffees on the clear counter. "So here we are."

"You don’t have to—"

"Already parked and paid the meter," Natalia tells me. "You’re stuck with us."

Though I know that’s her way of saying that they’re staying even if I try to kick them out.

Isla sets her bag beside Ellie’s office door.

"Show me where to wash my hands."

I look at all of them, then at the table full of fondant circles.

At Penelope’s, I wondered whether I’d still be invited to their game nights once I wasn’t Wolf’s girlfriend.

Today, they’ve come looking for me.