Page 25 of The Ampersand Effect

“I mean, I can. But full disclosure—I’m a terrible dancer. My hips lie!” Grier averted her eyes, mildly embarrassed at her admission.

The captain confidently slid her hand onto Grier’s hip, the pad of her thumb digging suggestively just inside her pelvic boneand sending a welcome sting of promise directly to her clit. Grier gasped audibly as the captain leaned in again, eyes fixed on Grier’s mouth as her own curled into a ravenous grin.

But she skipped past Grier’s impatient lips once again.

Her whisper came hot and deliberate against Grier’s ear: “I’ll be the judge of how much your hips lie.”

Her lips brazenly grazed the tender skin behind Grier’s ear as she pressed her thumb deeper into Grier’s lower abdomen… then walked away.

Grier watched her leave, the sound of her pulse drowning out the hum of the busy atrium. She watched as the captain pivoted on her impossibly sexy stilettos, then walk backward with predatory grace.

“Oh, and I hope you win!” she called, winking one green eye. Then she was gone.

In seconds, Alix and Maren flanked her.

“Details!” Maren squealed, unbothered by her own volume. “Tell me you got her number this time,” Alix implored.

Grier stood between them, still transfixed on the space where the captain had just been.

“Grier, honey? Are you okay?” Maren rubbed her shoulder, gently tugging her back to the present.

Grier shook her head, still replaying the last few minutes. “Did that just happen?”

“Yas, Queen! Now tell us what she said, tell us what you said. Tell useverything!” Alix pleaded.

They steered her to their table as the servers prepared for dinner, and Grier did her best to recount the conversation in a low voice, careful not to carry over to Delta’s attentive ears.

“Iknewit!” Alix nearly shouted, restraint barely perceptible. “That dress got her attention! Six hours of shopping—worth every second!”

“You do look gorgeous tonight, Grier,” Maren added. “I’ll give credit where it’s due—Alix has an eye for seduction.”

Alix patted their own shoulders in an effervescent display of self-aggrandizement.

“Ah thank you, thank you.” Alix gave a dramatic little bow from where they sat, reveling in the praise.

By the time dessert plates landed, the awards presentation was ready to begin. The first honoree was welcomed after a brief video showcasing the new helipads and highlighting the recent helicopter tours. Captain Parrish was invited to the stage to receive the award and offer a few remarks about the hospital’s growth and her SAR fleet.

Off-stage, Grier caught sight of Captain Maes snapping photos of the proceedings—anddamn, she looked as good from behind as she did head on. Grier chewed on her lower lip, transfixed by the casual grace of her movements.

A hand squeezed her thigh. She startled, turning to find Maren smiling knowingly.

Grier’s nerves edged towards feral, her restless energy caged while she sat, waiting for the final award of the night, the Physician of the Year Award. Her heel tapped a feral rhythm under the table, shaking the linens. Maren’s hand settled against her knee, steadying. This time she added an encouraging wink. “You got this,” she whispered.

“Have you seen Vanders anywhere?” Alix asked, rotating their head like a hawk. “I want to watch that smug bastard’s smile fade when your name is called.”

“Front and center,” Grier croaked, nerves strangling her words. She reached for her water and nearly tipped it over with her shaking hands. Why was she so nervous? This award had no bearing on her, or her patient outcomes. She knew it was unlikely she would win—the board would want to select someone they could market and profit from, more than whatshe brought in with her alternative, low-cost but definitely high-value treatments. Still, she took a fortifying sip, eyes fixed on Elain Montgomery, chairwoman of the board, as she approached the podium.

Elain welcomed the crowd with polished poise, thanking their supporters and recognizing the wait staff with a round of applause before shifting gears. “Now,” she announced, “the moment most of us have been waiting for: Aetheridge Children’s Hospital’s Physician of the Year Award.”

Her words slowed, and a rare smile etched its way across her typically controlled face. “This year’s selection was narrowed to five well-deserving candidates, each with countless hours of dedicated service to our hospital, community outreach, and continuing education. The selection was not easy. But one factor weighed heavily this year, outlining a clear and distinct winner. As always, we invited faculty and staff, as well as patients and their caregivers, to participate in our nomination process.”

Grier’s core cinched tight. She felt a table of faces turn to look at her, hope and confidence in their eyes. Grant glowed; Delta bounced in her chair. Alix’s hand joined Maren’s on her other knee. Was this happening? Could this really be about her? Light-headedness washed over her.

“We received an outpouring of nominations for one particular individual,” Elain proceeded, swaying as she addressed different portions of the atrium. “In the history of Aetheridge Children’s Hospital’s Physician of the Year Award, we have never received so many nominations for a single physician—or such detailed confessions of praise, and, disarmingly, of love from staff and patients alike. This individual has garnered the respect of their colleagues and the hearts of their patients. We as a Board are truly humbled to admit: a new bar has been set for future honorees.”

A tense quiet hung over the atrium as everyone waited for the name.

“Please join me in celebrating this year’s honored physician: Dr. Grier Savage.”