Page 154 of Offside Rules

"I don’t even know what to give you first."

Ellie points them toward the sink.

"Wash up. Baylor will explain."

While they’re drying their hands, Natalia comes closer.

"Luka’s waiting for an update too. If he hears anything before you do, I’ll tell you."

Relief hits me harder than I expect. "Thank you. Really, Natalia." I swallow, trying to keep my voice steady. "I hate not knowing."

"I know." She squeezes my arm, then looks at the trays. "All right. What can I ruin?"

"Hopefully nothing. I’ve already handled that part."

I show them how lightly to dust the stamped circles so the logo stays clear. Peyton practices over a spare piece before moving on to a finished one. Isla starts cutting more circles, and Natalia takes over arranging them on the drying trays.

Within ten minutes, the pile I thought would take me all day is shrinking.

I check my phone.

Still nothing.

I put my phone beside my notebook where I’ll see it light up, then reach for another piece of fondant.

Hunter and Olsen arrive after practice while Ellie’s crew is pulling another batch from the ovens.

"Where do you want us?" Hunter asks.

"Box duty." Ellie points toward the clear table and the stacks of cardboard beside it. "Wash your hands first."

While she gets them started, her head baker hands me a cooled chocolate caramel cupcake to taste.

It’s exactly right. Apparently, remembering how much flour you’ve added makes a difference.

"These are great," I tell her.

She smiles and brings over the first tray.

Ellie grabs a piping bag and takes the spot beside me. We frost while the girls add the decorative wrappers and fondant toppers. The guys pack everything into boxes, check the labels, and carry them into the walk-in fridge for tomorrow.

Once we get going, there’s barely a pause between trays. Ellie’s crew keeps baking, the finished boxes keep disappearing, and the order that felt impossible this morning starts looking manageable.

I glance at my phone, then back at the cupcake in my hand.

He’ll call when he can. When surgery’s over and he’s awake enough to talk.

I have to believe that.

Ellie nudges another tray toward me.

"Ready?"

I adjust the piping bag in my hand.

"Yep. Keep them coming."

Chapter Twenty-Six