Page 20 of The Ampersand Effect

Thirty minutes later, Tobin set down a tray of food on the patio table and accepted the sangria Harrow handed her.

“Probably a good idea to eat outside tonight, otherwise we might not get the chance. That storm is going to make camp here for the next day or two, from the sound of it.” Harrow sipped her wine as they both looked out over the lake, watching the storm clouds brewing as they stalked closer to the city.

“I’m on call the next two nights,” Tobin interjected quietly. “I never want to see people in danger, but I could use some activity to take my mind off things.”

“Careful what you wish for, sister.” Harrow eyed her knowingly before grabbing a plate of the farmer’s market linguine with shrimp from the tray Tobin brought down.

“Don’t I know it.”

They ate in silence, savoring the peace and inhaling the fresh scent of rain on the increasing wind coming in from the lake.

Tobin pushed her plate away, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. “I love the smell of rain on the wind.”

“It’s full of possibilities,” Harrow agreed, setting their empty plates on the tray and refilling their glasses with sangria.

“I’ve never quite understood how something so tumultuous can feel so calming and invigorating all at once. But I love it—the electricity, the way a storm can abruptly halt human activity while stirring its own torrent of emotions. It’s breathtaking.”

“You have quite a beautiful view of storms for someone whose job is literally to save the unfortunate souls who tempt nature.” No one could argue that Harrow wasn’t pragmatic.

“I think that’s part of why I love my job. Humans versus nature is a battle of sheer will. Mother Nature can flaunt her power, but the ego of humans to survive her fury is just as inspiring. And then the calm after the storm… it’s as beautiful as the tempest itself.”

“I think you missed your calling as a poet.”

Tobin laughed lightly. “Nah. I couldn’t stand people reading my inner thoughts. Too exposed. And I couldn’t give up flying—poets live through their pages; I get to live above them.”

Harrow murmured an unintelligible acknowledgment, raising her glass toward Tobin. “To tempests… and those who tempt them.”

Tobin twitched a lopsided smile and tipped her glass toward her sister’s. She watched the clouds approach, feeling the temperature drop, and shifted closer to the fire for warmth. Her mind raced, chasing thoughts of the future: fertility treatments, carrying a child, the life growing inside her. She rested a hand on her belly, smiling to herself, already so full of love for a life that hadn’t even been created.

Despite the wandering thoughts she’d entertained this week, Dr. Savage was a distraction, and one she couldn’t afford to entertain any longer. Tobin knew what she wanted—she needed to refocus on the baby.

Thunder literally shuddered through her reflections, and drops of rain began to fall. The deck canopy kept them dry, but the sound of rain striking the house was sharp and steady.

Harrow gathered the dishes, readying to head inside. “I assume you’re staying out here for a while.” It was a statement.

“Yeah, I want to watch the sky for a bit.” “I figured.”

Her sister draped a blanket over Tobin’s shoulders and wrapped her in a comforting embrace. “Don’t overthink it, T. Sometimes you just have to let things happen and see where they take you.”

Tobin squeezed Harrow’s forearm, the only acknowledgement she could give in the moment. Harrow gave her one slight squeeze, grabbed the tray of food, and walked inside, leaving Tobin to her thoughts.

“Damn, Blur!” Eddie crooned, her eyes raking Tobin from toe to head. “Your legs!” She lingered predatorily, her gaze sliding down to Tobin’s heels and—well—her ass. Eddie giggled and delivered a firm, playful smack. Cipher was out tonight.

Tobin looked down at her satin emerald stilettos, selected to match the dress Eddie had chosen: a full-length black charmeuse gown embedded with emerald glitter that caught the light just so. The off- the-shoulder sleeves draped elegantly, the fitted bodice accentuating her ample breasts, and the slit along the left thigh revealed toned, tanned legs whenever she cocked her hip.

Tobin offered a hand to Eddie and encouraged her to twirl, smiles lighting their faces. “We’ll be quite the pair tonight.”

“No shirt?” Eddie’s grin pinched up mischievously. “Glad to see you’ve changed your mind about catching the doctor’s eye tonight. “ Her excitement was restrained, but palpable.

Tobin’s gaze shifted to her reflection in the body of the R44 Raven II they’d be taking to the gala. She ran her fingers along the satin peak lapels of her black fitted tuxedo jacket, which barely concealed her small, pert breasts, and dipped just below her sternum, showcasing her skin and the very edge of her most elaborate tattoo as the ink cupped under and around her left breast. Her pants were fitted and cropped just above the ankle, emphasizing her heels and the length of her legs. The added lift the shoes gave her butt was not something she regretted. “No,” she murmured. “I figured this might be the last time I get to dress up before a baby. I just wanted to feel good.”

Eddie dragged her eyes lasciviously over Tobin’s body. “This outfit is laced with intent, Blur.” Her voice hummed, lyrical and warm. She cocked a scarred eyebrow. “You look half edible…”

“My primary intention is to feel good—and to be your escort. I am at your service tonight, madam. Anything beyond that remains to be seen.” Tobin opened the starboard door and slightly bowed, offering Eddie her other hand to assist her into their box office.

“Oh no, you don’t! Wait right there, you two!” Erik hollered, hustling out from the hangar.

“Shit,” Tobin and Eddie muttered in unison.