Page 18 of The Ampersand Effect

“They’d be fools to not select you,” Grant offered gently, sliding into his familiar supportive role as the big brother.

“Even I know that,” Delta chimed in, in a rare moment of earnest endorsement for her aunt.

Grier heard their words, but was hesitant to accept them. She looked at each of them in turn, and forced a cool detachment into her voice. “It’s a long shot. I’m up against four other highly qualified physicians. I won’t belittle my accomplishments in patient care, but in the eyes of the board, there are superior providers that would warrant their praise.”

“You don’t know that,” Grant countered, squeezing her hand with steady warmth. “And even if you don’t win, you’re still our favorite doctor.”

“Fine,” Grier sighed. “Just remind me to clap when they call someone else’s name—”

A fistful of popcorn pelted her square in the chest before she could finish.

After the credits rolled, Grant carried a drowsy Delta upstairs. By the time he padded back down, Grier had most of the mess tidied and was folding the blankets when he joined her in amicable silence. Then, almost too softly to catch, he said, “I’m a little jealous, you know.”

Grier stilled, brows pulling tight as she glanced at him.

“The helicopter flights you went on this week… they were hosted by Parrish Aerial, right? That Edith Parrish is kinda hot. If I’d gone on the flight, maybe I could’ve flashed some charm, woo her with my playful wit! We could’ve flown off into the sunset!” His grin was wide, but Grier knew the sorrow it shielded.

“Big brother—are you trying to steal my shot at a hot pilot wife?” Grier chuckled, playing along. “You’ve alreadystolenone of my women—don’t think I won’t fight you for the next one!” She raised her fists and bounced on her toes like a boxer.

Grant held his hands up in mock surrender, softly chortling. “In all seriousness, though—you’ve given her an opportunity so many little girls never get.”

“What?” Grier scrunched her brows. “Anyone can take a helicopter tour these days.”

Grant shook his head. “The ride thrilled her. But the pilots inspired her. They showed her that little girls can touch the sky—literally. And that’s an experience I can’t give her with a tour.” He kept tidying as he spoke, then froze mid-motion, straightening as his thoughts pulled him elsewhere.

Grier crossed the room and set a hand on his shoulder. “You’re an amazing dad, Grant.” She smiled as he turned to look at her.

“I don’t want to fail her,” he whispered. “Sometimes it feels like the world is set against us.”

Grier wasn’t sure if he meant Nora or Delta, but it didn’t matter. “You arenotfailing, Grant. Delta is a force of nature, and Nora would be proud of you both. I see it every day in the things Delta does and says. You’re raising a daughter who honors her mother’s legacy while forging her own path—becauseyoutaught her the skills and gave her the support to do it.”

Her fingers drifted to the necklace at her throat, absently rolling the pendant between them. When she noticed Grant smiling at her, she frowned.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked. He knew the story of the pendant. Before Nora’s death, he had often been the third-wheel to their friendship. In a relationship that could have created gobs of jealousy and warranted years of therapy, the three of them had created their own landscape of love.

“You know she’d want you to be happy too, right?”

“I am happy,” Grier shot back, more defensively than she intended. She loathed it when people assumed she wasn’t happy. She was. Sure, she wanted things—but she wasn’tunhappy.

“I know you’re happy,” Grant said gently. “But we both know you can’t stay here forever. We’re settled, now. We’ve got a good rhythm, and Delta’s thriving.”

Grier snapped her head toward him so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash. Was he kicking her out? “What are you talking about? Are you trying to get rid of me?” Her voice pitched with anxiety.

“Absolutely not,” Grant placated. “I’m offering you an out. You’re welcome here as long as you want. I want you here.Deltawants you here. Honestly… I thinkyouwant to be here, too…” his words trailed off.

“There’s abut,” Grier said, narrowing her eyes at him dubiously.

“But,” he admitted, “I don’t want you to lose sight of your independence. You used to want a family, and I worry that you’re letting Delta and I sublet that space your heart, where your own wife and kids should live. I don’t want either of us to look back in twenty years and be regretful—or resentful—that you didn’t get everything you dreamed about.” He looked embarrassed, but also resolute.

A dozen crude retorts rose to Grier’s tongue, but something stopped her. She inhaled deeply, organizing her thoughts. For months now, she’d felt an itch—a subtle, restless hum she couldn’t ignore anymore. Shewashappy. But she wanted more, and it was time to own that.

“Where is this coming from?” she asked, already certain she knew the answer.

Grant didn’t bother camouflaging his intel. “Delta may have mentioned a certain tall, dark, and tattooed captain who seemed to capture your eye—and loosen your tongue—on your recent helicopter tour.” Now he was grinning, and it wasn’t sheepish.

Grier rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Not you, too…”

Grant laughed. “No, not me, too. I don’t want to force you into anything you’re not ready for. But Idowant you to be happy—and you’ve got to start somewhere. And we all know you have a thing for pilots!”