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Offside Rules

Page 58

by Kenna King

"Either."

I set down the sugar and pause the episode.

"Why’d you stop it?"

"Because I’d like to hear some of it."

"I’m trying to catch up."

"You’ve missed eleven episodes. I don’t have time to explain every bad decision before lunch."

He takes a drink of coffee, looking far too entertained.

"I’ll wait for the recap."

"You’ll be waiting a while."

I leave the tablet paused and switch on the mixer. Wolf returns to his stool with his coffee while I scrape the last of the measured ingredients into the bowl.

My phone rings.

Mom.

I switch off the mixer and pick up my phone.

"Hi, Mom."

"Are you still baking upstairs?"

"Yes. The repairs aren’t finished."

"I thought you might have found somewhere else by now."

I look at Wolf across the island. He’s holding his coffee, watching me.

"Somewhere with two ovens, enough storage, and no rent? Unfortunately, nothing’s come up."

"Baylor."

"I’m just saying it works."

"Your father asked whether Ellie could make room."

"Ellie offered. She’s already running her kitchen around the clock. I’m not asking her to turn down work so I can get mine done."

"I know, sweetheart. We just don’t like you depending on him."

Wolf gets off his stool and carries his mug toward the living room. I wait until he’s out of the kitchen before answering.

"He hasn’t asked for anything, Mom."

"That doesn’t mean your father and I aren’t concerned."

"I’m using his oven. I’m not announcing an engagement."

Which would have been a much better answer if we hadn’t planned half our wedding over breakfast.

"We hardly see each other," I add. "He’s gone for games. I’m out making deliveries. Once my kitchen’s finished, I won’t need his."