Page 13 of The Ampersand Effect

Grier could feel Maren’s energy, drawing this out. She wasn’t the type to gossip, and the stalling was unnerving. Grier cocked an eyebrow, silently urging her to make her point.

“She’s handling the RSVPs and table placements, and she was sharing some of the non-hospital VIPs that would be in attendance.”

Grier could feel Maren assessing her energy.

“Edith Parrish is coming. She’s being honored for her donation to build the hospital’s new helipads and grow the medevac program. And…” Maren’s eyes sparkled as she lingered on her delivery, “she has a plus-one.”

Grier’s adrenal glands tightened. Her body instinctively knew what Maren was going to say next, before her brain could register the words.

“Captain Maes.” Maren beamed.

Grier’s heart stopped before it overcorrected, racing frantically inside her ribs. She definitely was not going to get the captain out of her fantasies now. Black tie and Captain Maes was more than her sensitive libido could handle.

This was going to be a very long week.

“I’ll tell Alix,” Maren practically vibrated with excitement. “Your dress has to be perfect!” She paused, noting the look on Grier’s face—nothing short of ill. “I thought you’d be more excited about this… you ok, honey?

“My body says I want to see her again. My brain says I showed my hand the first time, and if she was interested, she would have called. I don’t think my heart can risk the hope right now.” Grier could feel her face sag with resignation and averted her eyes to avoid Maren’s pitying gaze.

“Grier, I think you owe it to yourself to see if this can go anywhere. You haven’t been this interested in a woman the entire time I’ve known you. And if it doesn’t go how you want it to, Alix and I will beat her up! I think the two of us can take her, yeah?”

Grier let out a stubborn laugh. She really did have the best friends. “You’re right. But now I’ll have double the anxiety about the evening. Between the award announcement and seeing Captain Maes again, how am I supposed to stop myself from exploding with anxiety?”

Maren looked at her with a coy grin, raising her eyebrows. “Masturbation.”

They burst out laughing, and Grier felt some relief as the anxiety faded from her body.

“Get out of here. Go tell Alix, and plot my runway humiliation. I want to get my notes done so I can treat my last kiddo and go home to…relax.” She drew out the last word, knowing Maren would understand the euphemism.

“Get it, honey!” Maren practically skipped out the door to find

Alix.

After work, Grier entered the kitchen in search of a snack before

dinner. Grant was cooking and talking on the phone, whileDelta sat at the counter doing homework.

“She just got home. Hang on—I’ll switch to FaceTime.” Grant flung a dish towel over his shoulder and pulled the phone from his ear to tap the screen.

Instantly, Grier heard the unmistakable voice of their younger sister emanating from the speakerphone as Grove squealed, “Grier! Get ready—I’m coming to see you!”

“What? No way! When?” Grier was elated. Grove visited once or twice a year, sneaking away from whatever exotic location she called home while photographing wildlife for freelance work around the world. Her work was masterful, and often featured inNational Geographicpieces. “I’ll see if I can take off a day or two so we can have a girls’ day!”

“What? Not fair!” Delta pouted from her stool.

Grier quickly glanced at Grant to read his response. He jutted his chin thoughtfully, then flashed her a wink.

“Sure can! Manis, pedis and scalp massages? Matinee at the State Theater? Anything else?”

“Root beer floats!” Delta hollered.

“That’s a given! I have to get a float from Vinny’s when I’m in town.” Grove stared through the phone screen, nodding her agreement at Delta.

“Can I crash your girls’ day for the floats, at least?” Grant pretended to pout as he drained the pasta he was boiling.

“What do you think ladies?” Grier asked teasingly; she already knew their answer.

“Please!” Grant begged, while Grove posited, “Is he buying?” “Yes, he is,” Delta volunteered her dad, like only a daughter could.