Page 107 of The Ampersand Effect

Could Grier be her tomorrow?

Grier’s low hum of appreciation brought her back to the present. “I missed you, too.” She rose onto her tiptoes and pressed a chaste kiss to Tobin’s cheek. “So, what do you have planned for us today?”

Tobin reached for Grier’s hand and laced their fingers. While it was a rather benign public display of affection for most couples, it was one she’d always been fearful of performing with previous partners. But Grier made her feel safe in ways no one ever had, and she no longer cared who might be watching or judging—she wanted the world to know she was staking her claim. Besides, that kiss was anything but subtle.

“That depends.” She pushed her sunglasses back over her eyes and gave Grier’s hand a playful tug, guiding her through the vendor stalls. She wasn’t even slightly embarrassed to realize she was still wearing the enamored grin that had bloomed the moment Grier stepped into her arms. “Do I need to feed you?”

“Nope! I ate a hearty, protein-rich breakfast after my swim this morning. I wasn’t sure what you had planned, so I figured I’d better fuel up.” Grier looked up at her as she delivered thefinal line, and Tobin felt a familiar warmth rush through her and settle low in her abdomen.

She recognized that look on Grier—the way her smile turned a little wicked and her eyes darkened by several sultry shades. It had become one of Tobin’s favorite sights over the past few weeks, when she knew exactly what Grier was thinking—and it involved a whole lot of her and a whole lot of indecipherable mumblings until the only word left in her brain wasGrier.

She wasn’t complaining. It was a mental state she found entirely appealing.

Tobin untangled her fingers and slipped an arm around Grier’s shoulders, pulling her snugly against her side as they walked. She put her lips near Grier’s ear and inhaled deeply before whispering, “If you keep looking at me like that, we’re not going to make it out of the parking lot.”

Grier laughed. “While I’m stoked you could read my less-than- subtle insinuation, I’m not much of a voyeur. So, we should probably stick to your original plan.”

“Believe it or not, I don’t actually have a plan for today. I’mwingingit.” She made a playful jab at her own expense and was rewarded with Grier’s warmth as the shorter woman wrapped an arm around her waist.

They settled into a comfortable gait, perusing wares and sampling small treats from the local vendors.

It was unusual for Tobin to be distracted by anything—or anyone—besides Grier. But today, she was irritated to notice her mind drifting back to Anchor and the problems with Fetch a Friend’s finances. She didn’t want the rescue to fail—both for social reasons (it had become a reliable source of joy in her otherwise arguably detached life), and for personal ones. She genuinely cared about Anchor and valued their friendship. The thought of someone she cared about losing something so meaningful unsettled her.

“Hey, you.” Grier’s toned hip nudged hers. “What’s going on behind those sunglasses of yours?”

Tobin shook her head, forcing herself back to the present— where wide amber eyes watched her with a glint of concern in their swirling golds. She blew a loose strand of hair from her face and turned to Grier fully, giving her the attention she’d been unintentionally withholding.

“Just some things with the rescue. I’m sorry.” She slid her sunglasses up onto her head, as if to underscore her next words. “You should be—and now definitely are—the center of my attention.”

She pulled Grier into a hug, using the moment to nuzzle at her neck, right where her jaw met her throat. Inhaling Grier’s musky fragrance, she brushed her lips against her ear and whispered, “You are the only thing on my mind. And right now, I’m thinking of all the ways I can make you lose yours.”

Grier swallowed audibly, her throat bobbing against Tobin’s lips, and Tobin could feel the jump of her pulse. Grier’s hands slid to Tobin’s waist, resting just above the brim of her jeans, and Tobin’s center clenched with fresh wanting.

“Unless you have tinted windows,” Grier murmured, “I suggest you stop deliberately trying to turn me on. It’s already a feat to compose myself when I’m near you.”

Then she pressed her thumb into the soft skin just inside Tobin’s pelvis and leaned in for a soft, teasing kiss.

“Come on,” Grier whispered. “Let’s get a cold smoothie. We obviously need to cool off a bit, or we’re never going to make it out of here without a ticket for public indecency.” She laced her arm through Tobin’s with a teasing grin.

Tobin scoffed playfully. “I don’t know. You claim your hips lie, but I think we could put on a pretty good show.”

The loud, unrestrained guffaw that burst from Grier’s throat registered a level of happiness Tobin wasn’t certain she’d everfelt before. There was something about Grier—her effortless joy—that affected Tobin in ways she couldn’t quite name. She felt it deep in her soul, like a gentle caress shaped like an ampersand—her fantasy, and their tomorrow.

As they stood in line waiting to order, Tobin watched Grier watch the passersby. It was beautiful, really. Grier clearly loved people-watching, and Tobin loved watching exactly one person. It was a bit stalkerish, if she were honest—but she hadn’t lied to Grier earlier. She held all of Tobin’s attention.

“I should bring Delta here one of these weekends. She’d love to look around—and we’d probably end up adopting every rescue at your booth!” Grier giggled to herself, and Tobin was completely enchanted by the sound.

“How’s she doing, anyway? Enjoying her summer?” Tobin asked, knowing Grier would likely gush about her niece. She loved how animated Grier became whenever she talked about something— or someone—she cared about.

They collected their smoothies and started to wander deeper into the crowd.

“Did I tell you about Owlivia?” Grier asked between sips. Tobin’s gaze followed her lips as they curved around the straw,

and she had to force her eyes back up to Grier’s. Her aviators provided only a thin shield, and Grier caught the movement anyway. Her mouth twitched.

Busted.

Tobin coughed, slightly embarrassed. Only slightly.