Page 28 of The Ampersand Effect

“Your job has to be difficult,” Grier murmured. “I’m glad you have someone who inspires you to stay safe.”

Grier’s sincerity was disarming. Tobin felt seen and heard in ways only Harrow and LoLo—and occasionally Eddie—had managed in the past. Her arms felt heavy and empty, and she fought the pull to draw the doctor closer—to fold her into the circle of loved ones she fought to return to.

“Is…” Grier hesitated.

Tobin struggled to remain unbothered, but her chest tightened again. She wasn’t sure she could take any more situations where she could let this woman down tonight. She knew—deep in the way her soul seemed to vibrate in this woman’s presence—that she never wanted to be the source of her disappointment. She’d do everything in her power to keep Grier happy. The reflection of joy in those amber eyes would be her undoing.

It terrified her.

“Is your sister the woman in the picture you have in your cockpit?”

Shame and hope flickered across the Grier’s face. Hope, the most dangerous emotion.

Relief surged through Tobin’s body. She pulled the doctor closer, comforting them both. “Yes.”

Her eyes dipped to meet the doctor’s, and she watched the darkness lift—relief and a new wave of desire glimmering in its absence. Hers were eyes that Tobin could get lost in. She feared she was already on her way.

“Since I think that was an indirect—and rather atypical— approach for you to a very important question,” Tobin saidsoftly, “I’d like to invite you to ask me what you really want to know.”

She held Grier’s gaze, no longer trying to banter. She wanted to create a safe and honest space for them to communicate.

The words rushed from Grier’s mouth, “Does anyone of whom you are aware have understanding or reason to believe that you are in an existing relationship with them?”

Tobin felt her tense in her arms.

“You don’t mince words, do you?” Tobin smiled comfortingly. “No. Baggage I’ve got—but women abound, I do not.”

Grier’s shoulders relaxed—shoulders Tobin had been admiring all evening. The lines of definition that delineated one muscle from another rippled with each movement. It was hypnotic, watching the way her body worked, the graceful interplay of strength and ease. Tobin’s imagination was once again racing with visions of how those muscles might move from different angles—namely when pinning Tobin beneath them.

Grier disrupted her daydreaming, “That’s a relief. I can handle baggage, as long as it’s unlocked. I’ve got my own, and I’d hate to be judged for my past when I’m willing to work on it in the present.”

“I see a therapist to help with that,” Tobin admitted. “I’m not ashamed of my baggage, but I’d like to unpack it over time.” She smiled, softening the moment. “How did we get so metaphorical?”

“I’m not sure,” Grier said, grasping the change in mood and rolling with it. “But it’s cute. It fits—with the pilot persona and all.” “Before we close that conversation for the evening, can the same be said for you? No fiancée or girlfriend around the corner?” Tobin asked, sending a silent prayer to a god she didn’t believe in to hear the answer she hoped for. That pesky hope, again.

“Firmly single, I’m afraid. For now.” A wry smile twitched at the corner of Grier’s lips—and Tobin wanted, with aching precision, to learn what that smile tasted like.

The doctor pivoted. “Can I ask you something else?”

Tobin guided them through the rhythm of another song, unwilling to release her. “You’ve never hesitated to speak your mind before.”

“What’s your name? Your first name.”

Tobin looked down into those amber eyes and nearly choked. She masked her reaction with a soft, airy laugh, her exhale brushing the tendrils of hair framing Grier’s face. Somehow, this petite firecracker of woman fit perfectly against her body—she wanted to put her in her pocket and carry her away.

“You’ve been shamelessly flirting with me for a week, and you don’t even know my name?” She pressed a hand dramatically to her chest. “I’m wounded.”

“I introducedmyselfto you. You were introduced to me as Captain Maes. Knowing we both work in extremely male-dominated professions, titles matter to me—I respect that in other women professionals. I wasn’t about to strip you of your title. If you wanted me to use your first name, I assumed you’d tell me.” Grier’s tone shifted, teasing but edged with mock reproach. “Maybe during one of the many opportunities you had to call or text me in the last week.”

Okay.Thatwas wounding.

Tobin had hurt her. Nothing had happened between them, and already she’d managed to cause this woman pain. Her chest squeezed as the guilt flooded her body.

Trying to recover, Tobin fell back into their familiar rhythm. “Strip me of my title?That’swhat you were worried about? You seemed pretty eager to strip me of some of myotherpossessions that day.”

Grier opened her mouth, then closed it again.

“Have I rendered you speechless?” Tobin teased, though her pulse quickened. She realized she’d very much like to take Grier’s breath away in far more literal ways—ones that involved fewer words and even fewer clothes.