Page 78 of The Ampersand Effect

The flight to Aetheridge Children’s Hospital was smooth and uneventful. Erik seemed content in his own world and onlyspoke during the routine status updates. When they landed, Mike quickly exited to begin the transfer procedure. It wasn’t unusual for them to break for lunch at the hospital—especially when there was no need to rush back to the hangar.

Tobin and Erik completed their post-flight checklist with practiced ease before Erik quickly excused himself to call his wife. She knew his son was sick again and hoped it was something mild this time. As soon as he left, Tobin reached for her phone, anxious to find out whether she’d be having an impromptu lunch date with Grier—or dining alone in the cockpit this afternoon.

GRIER—11:49 a.m.

I’m having a working lunch in my office

today, with whatever assortment of protein

foods I have stashed in my drawer. A friend

wants to be adjusted and I should get some

charting done.

Tobin’s eyes darted to the top of her screen—12:08 p.m. Perfect. Her excitement at the thought of seeing Grier made her hands tremble. She grabbed her containers of food and jumped from the cockpit, bolting through the rain toward the hospital doors. She had no idea where she was going, but a nurse just inside the entrance pointed her toward the Integrative Health department on the second floor. Grateful that her flight suit granted her the illusion of belonging in the hospital, she slipped into the elevator and descended before anyone was the wiser.

On the second floor, Tobin headed for the nurse’s station to ask for Grier’s office—until she spotted a sign next to an open door just off the elevators:Grier Savage, DC, Chair, Department of Integrative Health.It looked so official, so important, and Tobin felt a swell of pride for this woman—instinctively knowing how hard she had worked for such a title. She took a steadying breath, nervous excitement roiling through her limbs, and stepped into the doorway.

She froze mid-knock. Grier in her element—unaware of a spectator—left Tobin breathless. Grier sat at her desk, a half-eaten protein bar resting beside her keyboard, eyes fixed intently just above the screen as if deep in thought. Her fingers hovered uselessly over the keyboard. Hunter green scrubs clung to her toned frame, highlighting the warm glow of her lightly tanned skin. Her braid had loosened throughout the day, wisps of hair floating around her head like tendrils. Tobin leaned against the open door, her nearly permanent grin spreading across her face.

Not wanting to startle Grier with an unexpected greeting, she tapped lightly on the door—and relished the look of delighted shock that crossed Grier’s face as she took in the sight of her.

“Tobin,” she whispered, her body still.

Tobin’s heart actually stuttered. Hearing her name whispered in hushed wonder by this radiant woman brought so many unnamed emotions to a boiling point inside her. She felt hot—her chest and neck flushing with warmth—and hoped her flight suit concealed most of it.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she lifted the containers in her hand with a small smile. “I heard you’re having a working lunch and thought I might offer a more palatable solution—and some company, if you’re interested. May I come in?”

Grier stayed planted in her seat, though Tobin could see her leg bouncing repeatedly beneath the desk. Anxiety or excitement—she couldn’t tell—either way, she was glad to have any effect on Grier.

“Yes, please. Um…” Grier began, then faltered.

Something flickered behind her eyes—a silent debate—before she said, “Shut the door.”

Tobin’s smirk came effortlessly. She loved that Grier wanted to block out the world for her. Tobin obliged, the soft click of the latch sealing them into their own small universe.

Crossing the room, Tobin set their lunch on the desk. “I didn’t have time to replace the doughnut you missed this morning,” she said, unpacking the containers, “but I did bring some French toast bake. And it happens to taste just as good cold as it does when it’s fresh.”

She was halfway through arranging the utensils when Grier reached out, her fingers brushing Tobin’s hand and stilling it completely.

When Tobin lifted her gaze, she was struck by a complete shift— from bewildered astonishment at her sudden arrival, to a heated gaze so hungry she felt her own desire rise to meet it.

“Hi,” Grier uttered—no longer breathy, but firm and laced with intention.

“Hi, yourself,” Tobin responded, unmoving.

Her eyes flicked to Grier’s lips, then back to those swirling amber eyes, now filled with coy understanding. She caught the moment they traced seductively to her own lips, then ventured over the rest of her body.

“It’s rather unfair of you to show up here, dressed like… that.” She gesticulated at all of Tobin, leaving her confused.

“In my flight suit?” Tobin laughed, still confused but relishing that whatever it was, it was clearly working in her favor.

“Yes, your flight suit! As if I didn’t already have fantasies of you in your captain’s uniform—now you go and add another frustratingly devious outfit to remember you in.”

Tobin felt Grier’s hand twitch on top of hers. Her stomach flipped as she realized Grier was struggling to maintain restraint.

“I honestly had no idea this would get you so hot and bothered.” Her voice came out low, husky—completely beyond her control. She leaned forward, lowering her torso until their eyes were level, her eyes sharp with unmistakable intent. “You seem to have a thing for me in my various suits…” She paused, a wicked grin stretching her lips, “Just wait until you get a look at my birthday suit.”