Page 97 of The Ampersand Effect

Grant was silent for a few moments. Although she couldn’t read his mind, Grier knew he was thinking about Nora. Her hand automatically moved to toy with the pendant at her neck. The subtle movement distracted him, and she saw his face lighten—pulled from the darker thoughts he was likely entertaining.

As if drawing a conclusion, he declared, “I think she’d agree with you.”

She looked at him, initially confused. But when he nodded toward her hand over the pendant, she understood. She didn’t have to think about her response; she spoke from her heart—where she knew Nora had left her deepest impression. “She absolutely would.”

Her throat constricted, emotion clawing its way up from her chest. “She wanted you to be happy—for all of us to be happy. And I think Haleigh can honestly give you that. I’ve felt for a long time that Haleigh would be a great partner for you. I’m happy to see you figured that out on your own—I shouldn’t be responsible for all your success with women!” Grier winked at him, surprised her eyes weren’t brimming with tears, as they so often did when she remembered Nora.

Her phone buzzed again. Her fingers twitched toward it, the hope that it was Tobin making her unconsciously smile before she caught herself, squeezing her coffee mug to still her hands.

Grant chuckled into his coffee. “Looks like we both might be on our paths to happiness. You’d better answer that. Don’t want to keep her waiting—I don’t want her showing up with her search- and-rescue team because you evaded her texts for too long.” His face shifted into mock horror,“What would the neighbors think?”

Grier rolled her eyes at him again—less playfully this time. “Don’t be hateful, big brother. You’ll get your playtime, too!”

Grant stood from his stool to put his empty mug in the sink. As he walked by, he leaned in closer than necessary and whispered conspiratorially, “I’ve had playtime more recently than you, little sister!”

Grier gasped. “What? How? You were only out for like, two hours on Wednesday.“ Then she shook her head, dispelling her revulsion. “Wait—don’t answer that. I actually don’t want to know.”

Grant burst out laughing—totally at her expense. She didn’t mind it at all.

As he walked out of the kitchen, she finally reached for her phone. Her instincts were right. Tobin was the source of her buzzing.

TOBIN—9:11 a.m.

Morning! Guess who found herself with a free night.

TOBIN—9:19 a.m.

Me! I suddenly have nothing to do tonight…

Grier’s body tingled with anticipation—giddy and free. She hadn’t planned on doing much today beyond relaxing. Tobin was supposed to be working, so she’d gone out with her friends last night and figured she’d spend the rest of the weekend with Grantand Delta. But, she realized as a flutter of excitement settled low in her stomach, plans could change.

GRIER—9:21 a.m.

That’s exciting!

GRIER—9:21 a.m.

But how does that happen? Don’t you

work the whole weekend?

TOBIN—9:22 a.m.

We have a transfer in about an hour, and after

that I’ll have maxed out on loggable hours, so

I have to be relieved.

How utterly disappointing,Grier joked to herself.

Her excitement was growing, but she wasn’t in a rush to end their conversation. In fact, more often than not, she’d realized over the last week that sheenjoyedprolonging their conversations. If she really thought about it—and she was doing just that—she had to admit she often asked questions she already knew the answers to, just to keep Tobin talking. And she liked it.

GRIER—9:23 a.m.

You must have had a busy night, then? I

hope all went well.