Page 169 of The Ampersand Effect

“The fire giant,” he clarified, as Gunnar began slapping the backs of their seats in anxious exuberance.

“When you recount this afternoon to your girlfriend, just make sure you tell her how brave I was.” Gunnar practically swallowed the last of his words, trying—and failing—to stifle the unrestrained guffaw that bellowed from his gut the moment they left his mouth.

“Excuse me?” Tobin scoffed, both eyebrows shooting up. “What—you didn’t think I noticed that lovesick look on your

face? Or the literal hundreds of times you sneak a glance at your phone to see if she’s texted you?” His grin was boyish, and the timber of his voice was playful, jesting with a hint of playground mischief.

“I hardly doubt she’ll believe that when I tell her,” she responded, baiting him.

“Why not?” Gunnar whined, bringing a fist to his chest in mock injury.

“Because she’smygirlfriend. Which means I’m the hero in every story I tell her. Besides…” she paused for effect, her cheeks were already aching from the grin she was fighting to contain. “… she’d never believe that I let a man do all the heavy lifting.”

The four men around her tumbled into laughter, and Tobin couldn’t help but join them. It truly was the best medicine.

Tobin stood naked in front of the mirror, admiring the new swirls of black and white that wrapped around her upper arm and elbow, flowing seamlessly into the fiery feathers of her phoenix. Dagný had mastered her craft, and Tobin’s arm bore the truth of that art. She covered her chest and raised her phone to the mirror, taking a selfie to send to Grier.

TOBIN—8:17 p.m.

This doesn’t do it justice—I can’t wait

for you to see it in person!

She twisted her shoulder, studying every loop and whirl of the traditional lopi pattern. Dagný had used the homemade ink, and it burned a little more than Tobin was used to. Her arm wasn’t red—at least no more than she expected from past tattoos. She’d mentioned the burn to Dag, but she’d laughed it away, claiming it was just the fire of the island entering her blood and claiming her.From the fire comes the phoenix,she reminded herself, the thought fortified by the blending of the lopi pattern into her phoenix’s emblazoned plumage.So it does.

Her phone buzzed on the counter where she set it, snapping her mind back to the present—more specifically, to Grier.

GRIER—8:21 p.m.

It is ENTIRELY unfair of you to send me

THAT picture, with THAT arm covering

yourself up.

GRIER—8:21 p.m.

But really, it looks fantastic! I can’t wait to see

it in person, too.

GRIER—8:21 p.m.

But also really, I can’t wait to see the REST of

you in person, too!

GRIER—8:22 p.m.

No more near-death experiences, either,

please. I really can’t take any more of those.

Tobin chuckled, and looked at herself in the mirror to confirm what she’d already suspected—she was blushing. She hadn’t intended to tease Grier with a nearly-nude selfie, but she certainly wasn’t mad about the response. She couldn’t wait to get home to Grier either.

TOBIN—8:23 p.m.

Same, Cinderella. I can’t wait to see you