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I look at the bill in the jar. Apparently, shirts are a considerable inconvenience for professional hockey players. I should have charged more.

"And stay on that side of the tape," I tell him. "I’m not cleaning everything twice."

"Yes, Chef," Rooks says, giving me a casual salute.

I turn back to my notebook while Wolf finishes breakfast. Rooks reads the rest of the rules, occasionally asking a question that makes me wonder whether a hundred dollars was enough.

"No eating without permission?" He looks at Wolf. "What did you do?"

"Ate a cupcake."

"Before I said he could," I add.

"Was it worth twenty bucks?"

"Yes."

"Then I’ll need to try one."

Wolf switches off the burner and divides the eggs between three plates.

"You can order them like everybody else," I tell Rooks.

"Two dozen. Whatever flavor you think I’ll like."

"Vanilla. When are you leaving?"

"Sunday."

"Then I’ll have them ready Saturday afternoon."

Wolf sets my breakfast in front of me, and I move the notebook to make room.

"Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

He sits across from me, and I take a bite before I start smiling again. Ten minutes ago, I was backing out of his apartment. Now he’s made me breakfast, and I know better than to look at him while I’m still thinking about Beau as his best man.

Rooks tells us about the bar he went to last night while Wolf pours the coffee. Apparently, the bartender recognized him and let him pick the music, which explains why he stayed until closing. I’m relieved he keeps the rest of his evening to himself.

After breakfast, Rooks carries his plate to the sink and takes his coffee down the hall to call someone. I rinse my own plate, then wash my hands and get out the ingredients for my first test batch. Wolf loads the dishwasher beside me.

"The tasting is Wednesday," I tell him. "I need to narrow down the flavors and work out what I can reasonably make for five hundred people."

"How many are you bringing to the tasting?"

"Six. I’d like her to choose three or four for the gala."

"Banana caramel should be one."

"You’ve made your position on that very clear."

"I’d hate for there to be any confusion."

He sets my coffee on the clear corner of the island, then takes his usual stool while I measure. It’s easier to talk about cupcakes. I know what I’m doing with those.

Rooks comes back down the hall with his bag over his shoulder.