Page 110 of The Ampersand Effect

Anchor hugged her friend in excitement. “I’m so lucky to have a built-in photographer and marketing specialist in you!”

“That you are,” Devon retorted, fiddling with the camera’s preview screen. She pushed her lips to the side as she reviewed some old photos. Tobin could practically see the girl thinking before Devon said, “What about a float?”

“You’re speaking my language,” Grier jumped in. “I love root beer floats—but I don’t see the relevance to the resc…”

Her words trailed off, and she slowly cocked her head in contemplation.

“Wrong kind of float—” Devon began to explain, but Grier’s excitement interjected. Her head whipped back to center as she turned to Anchor, then to Devon, and finally landed on Tobin.

“Vinny’s! We could do a fundraiser at Vinny’s—pizzas, floats, maybe a silent auction. He’d love it, I’m sure!”

“I was thinking about a float in the Pride Parade next month,” Devon said, finally getting a word in—though there was an edge of hurt in her voice. “But your idea is cool, too.”

“Why settle for one float when you can have both?” Anchor offered, saving the moment before it soured. “Let’s do a parade float and a fundraiser. The more we’re in the community, the better.”

Devon shrugged, still obviously hurt that her idea had once again been overshadowed by Grier.

“I could donate a photo shoot,” she offered quietly.

“That’s a great idea, Devon!” Anchor said, snatching her into a grateful side-hug.

“I’m sure Eddie would co-sponsor a float—and cover the cost,” Tobin added.

“You could call itRuffs and Rescuers!”Grier exclaimed, her voice bright with excitement.

Tobin couldn’t help smiling at her enthusiasm. “I bet I can get her to donate a VIP helo-tour, too.”

“Does the highest bidder get to choose what uniform you wear?” Grier asked—more emphatically than Tobin had expected.

Anchor’s eyes went wide as she turned to Tobin, clearly unsure how to interpret the question. Tobin felt a wave of heat rise in her cheeks, starting low and climbing from somewhere far more sinful than her face.

Grier turned to her, her excitement quickly melted into concern as she read read the hesitation in Tobin’s posture and expression.

“I mean,” she said gently, “I’m planning to bid the hell out of that, but I’d like to envision my winnings ahead of time…”

Tobin stood frozen as Grier’s eyes unfocused, a dreamy haze dulling the usual bright amber as her fantasies took root. Her voice deepened and hushed, “You in your flight suit… a bomber jacket… your captain’s hat and tie…”

She drifted off, lost to her imagination.

Grier’s eyes suddenly brightened, locking on Tobin with laser- like intensity. Tobin knew—knew—that Grier was undressing her with her eyes. The dark ring of amber iris roiled around her shrunken pupils.

Fuck, if that didn’t turn her on. This woman could undress her with her eyes any time—as long as she was willing to finish the job with her hands behind a closed door at their first opportunity.

She needed to get them home.Now.

Tobin was pulled from her thoughts by Devon’s not-so-subtle stage whisper to Anchor, “Iknewthere was something going on with them!”

Tobin ignored her and returned her gaze to Grier.

“Y—yeah. Okay. That sounds… fun?” she choked, her throat dry from the emotional rollercoaster she was riding.

Grier looked at her quizzically, tilting her head in mock confusion. Tobin lifted her chin, finding her resolve. “Yes.”

Anchor started chuckling—then derailed into a full-blown cackle. Tears streamed down her face as she looked from Tobin to Devon, finally settling on Grier.

Everyone looked at her with concern. “Wh—what? How?

Why?” she squeaked between breaths.