Page 47 of Offside Rules

I’m parked outside the rink, trying to open the cupcake box Baylor gave me without putting my thumb in the frosting. I’ve already done it twice. Not enough to ruin anything, but enough that I should probably wait until I get home.

My phone vibrates in the cup holder before I can peel back the wrapper. Juliet. Coach Haynes’s wife has been planning events for my foundation since I hired her four years ago, when I moved to Seattle.

I put the box on the passenger seat and answer.

"Are you in a good place to chat? I have some things I need to go over with you," she says.

"Parked. What do you need?"

"Your opinion on the gala. The committee has opinions, the venue has opinions, and I’ve realized the person paying for a substantial portion of it hasn’t given me any."

The Second Shift Sports Foundation is having its annual benefit gala at the end of the month, and Juliet has been working hard to make sure that sponsors and donors have a great time. This foundation for youth sports injuries means a lot to me, and I want to do everything we can to help families who have been affected by an injury while playing the sport they love.

"Sounds like you have enough opinions already. What do you need mine for? You know I’m going to go with whatever you think we should do, anyway."

"I could always use one that comes with a decision." I hear paper moving on her end. "Do you have a preference for the dinner? We’re confirming the choices this week."

"Whatever you picked last year was good," I say, though I don’t remember it since I never got a chance to sit down that night. Shaking the hands of everyone that came.

"That’s what you said last year."

"And that is why you are the best at what you do. You have great taste."

She lets out a chuckle. "Your attempt to flatter me won’t work, but for now I’ll write down that you liked the last caterer. Anything you’d like changed?"

"No." I glance at the little white box on the passenger seat. Baylor gave it to me before I left this morning, asking whether the banana cupcakes would still work without the caramel filling. I haven’t eaten them yet. "Actually, do you have anyone for the dessert table?"

"Not yet. I’ve requested proposals. Our last vendor is already booked for the same day of the event."

Perfect. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner. I already know roughly what we paid for the vendor last year. It has to be at least enough to cover Baylor’s deposit, plus some to upgrade appliances, and whatever else she needs to open up her shop.

"I have someone."

"Someone you know, or someone whose food you’ve eaten?" I can hear the concern in her voice. I’m not known for my expertise in food vendors, but this shop… I can vouch for, personally.

"Both."

"Good. I’m not hiring anybody because you like them as a human, Wolf. Their food has to be excellent"

"She’s good. Cupcakes, cake pops–anything else you want for the dessert table. She has a food truck and takes private orders." I look at the box again. "She’s looking to open a shop. This could be a good job for her."

"A job, yes. Providing she can do the volume."

"You can ask her about that, but I think she can manage." I’ll help her if I have to, and I know Ellie would do what she can too if this means getting Baylor into the shop.

"I will. Send me her information. Who is she?"

"Baylor Fairbanks."

There’s a short pause. "Fairbanks?"

"Beau’s sister."

"Oh." Another pause, then the papers move again. "Do you have a business name?"

"Sprinkles. She supplies the cupcake counter at Serendipity’s too."

"I’ve had those." Her voice brightens. "The chocolate ones with the filling?"