Page 53 of Offside Rules

"Rooks," he confirms with a nod.

"What’s he back for?"

"His trainer wanted to check how much strength he’s getting back in his wrist after working with the physical therapist."

"And you’re running a hotel?"

"He has one appointment, but he’s staying a couple days. I told him to stay out of your way while you’re baking. Then he’s going home to Boston. Germany before next season."

"Hopefully with a better understanding of where his guests should leave their clothes."

That explains the bra. And the dress. I loosen my grip on my bag, but I’m still standing in the doorway.

"Okay. Well, the rule applies to guests too."

"I’ll tell him." He looks at my hand on the door. "Please don’t leave. Have you eaten?"

"I’ve had coffee."

"So, no. Come on. I’ll make you breakfast."

He walks past me toward the kitchen, leaving me to close the door.

My tasting is five days away, and I’ve already finished the café deliveries for today and stocked the truck. I came up to test flavors before the lunch rush. I’m not losing an entire morning because Rooks couldn’t keep his date’s clothes in the bedroom.

And I am hungry.

I leave my ingredients on the counter, then sit at the island and pull my notebook from my bag. Wolf takes the eggs and milk out of the fridge while I find the page with my tasting flavors.

"You looked mad back there."

"Why wouldn’t I be? I asked you to warn me, and then I walked into a scene I wasn’t prepared for."

"I didn’t know until I woke up."

"I know that now."

He sets the carton beside the stove, then looks over at me.

"Are you mad about the lack of a warning, or that it wasn’t your bra and dress on my floor?"

I look up to find a smug expression on his face I’ve been trying not to think about since he walked me to my door.

"Get over yourself, Wolf. I have no interest in you."

"Didn’t seem that way when you asked me to dance."

"It was dancing, Wolf. Not a marriage proposal."

"Too bad. I might have said yes," he teases.

My stomach flutters, which is a ridiculous reaction to Wolf joking about us getting married. Mom would clutch her rosary and say ten Hail Marys. Dad would need his blood pressure checked. And Beau—he’d probably have a stroke.

"Can you imagine Beau at our wedding?" I ask.

"Think I should ask him to be my best man?"

I laugh out loud. "Only if you want your bachelor party to double as your funeral. I’d keep the casket closed to save you the embarrassment of everyone knowing that a Blue Devils player got the final jump on you."