Page 119 of The Ampersand Effect

“Again, the puppies helped. It’s a cause she believes in. Also, I may have promised heryouwere planning to win.” Tobin chuckled, lost in the memory of the conversation.

The sound of her lighthearted laughter rang in Grier’s ear. It had quickly become one of her favorite sounds.

“She’s due for a little joyride, even if she’s in the driver’s seat. And if you win the auction like you claim you’re going to, then we get to make the whole thing a bit more… intriguing than the prize officially states.”

The glint in Tobin’s eyes ignited a fire low in Grier’s gut.

Grier grabbed a kitchen towel and swatted Tobin’s hip with it. “You’re a bit of a shit-stirrer, aren’t you.” It was not a question. Shelikedthis side of Tobin—found it irresistible not to encourage it with a little cheek of her own.

Tobin giggled and reached for the towel, pulling Grier into her arms. “I had ulterior motives.”

The look she gave her made Grier’s skin buzz with a heated effervescence. Tobin’s eyes darkened, the brightness of their green mingling with the softer grays and browns.

Grier stopped breathing—only for a moment. But Tobin noticed. And smirked.

Goddamn. Two can play…

Grier flung the towel around Tobin’s neck and deftly caught the other end in her free hand. She leveraged Tobin down to her mouth for a deep, heated kiss.

When she broke it—intentionally sooner than either of them wanted—she whispered, “You have your uniform, but I have a lab coat that can do scandalous things for the imagination. Next time, it’s my turn.”

As she pulled away, Tobin gulped audibly.

Grier returned her smirk.Fair is fair,she thought. “You never cease to surprise me.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of Tobin’s lips, and a familiar softness filled her eyes when Grier looked at her. It was a look she’d seen on Tobin’s face with a certain regularity over the last several weeks—one of quiet fondness, reserved just for her.

“Oh, I am full of surprises, girlfriend,” Grier retorted.

The word slipped out before she could catch it. Heat flamed her face, and she knew it hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Tobin’s eyes narrowed at her. Grier hadn’t meant to start this conversation—they were still clinging to some semblance of taking things slow, despite how quickly their libidos ruled the physical nature of their relationship. She didn’t want to scare Tobin off with premature declarations. But the truth was, she absolutelywantedto claim her. And she’d be lying if she said labeling their relationship wasn’t something she wanted sooner rather than later.

Tobin’s lips twitched. A light glinted in her gorgeous eyes, and Grier’s chest tightened, her heart beating frantically against her ribs.

“Girlfriend,huh?” Tobin asked, still fighting to contain an impish grin slowly spreading across her lips—those lips Grier never seemed to be able to tear her eyes from.

Grier shrugged, feigning nonchalance. She averted her eyes to the popcorn, busying her hands with seasoning it, despite already having done that. And she knew Tobin was aware she’d already done it—Tobin had handed her the seasoning.

“It was meant to be a turn of phrase,” Grier muttered. Then, more pointedly, “But… now that you’ve brought it up…”

“Whoa, hold on!Youbrought it up…” Tobin’s face went suddenly stoic, unreadable.

Grier’s discomfort bloomed, and she averted her eyes, unable to share her disappointment.

“Girlfriend.”

Grier’s head whipped up, breath catching audibly in her throat. Tobin’s stoic façade faded into a full, consuming grin, and the light returned to her eyes.

Grier threw her arms around Tobin and kissed her fervently— innumerable times—consuming her light, airy giggles like the sustenance they were.

Grant coughed before entering the kitchen. “Just checking if you need help with the snacks. We’re all loaded up and ready to go— just waiting for you two. And the snacks.”

“Sorry, Grant. My girlfriend and I are ready now.”

She handed Tobin the tray of snacks, grabbed the popcorn, and looked at Grant, who was watching her with warm, understanding eyes.

“Can you grab the floats? My girlfriend and I will meet you downstairs.”