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Gia was skeptical. “So, you’re proposing an ad campaign based on—”

“The race for number one,” Theo supplied. “Who’s going to end upwith the top ranking by the time this season closes out?”

Gia could tell from Elle’s understated smirk that she didn’treally think the ranking was up for grabs. Gia knew differently. If she couldturn in just a handful of successful tournament showings and take Elle downanother time or two, she’d have the points. It wouldn’t be easy, but it wasn’toutside the realm of possibility. She was currently two in the world. Worldchampion was within her grasp, and she was making steady progress. Apparently,others had noticed.

Elle paused and adjusted a strand of hair off her cheek. “It’s anintriguing proposition.”

And would you look at that? Theo ran with the encouragement,looking like a dog with a giant, meat-filled bone. He stepped forward,energized. “I see commercials, magazine ads, billboards, all cleverly puttogether and all showcasing Trainers. Listen, the chips are about a healthiersnack option, and what sport showcases athleticism and the human physique theway surfing does?”

Gwendolyn would kill her if she balked. “I guess I’m with Elle.Sounds cool, but maybe we can get a few more details to fully understand whereyou’re headed?”

He nodded. “I’ll draw up a formal proposal and send it over toyour people.” He pointed at each of them. “This could be a really fantasticpartnership.”

“I, for one, hope so,” Elle said.

“Me, too,” Gia lied.

“I’ll leave you to your bickering, then,” he said, eyes dancing,as if he’d just located his own personal pot of gold. “And please, whatever youdo, keep it up.”

Once they were alone, Elle turned to her. “If we do this, we haveto pinkie promise each other that we’ll keep it classy.”

Gia turned her face and regarded Elle out of the side of her eye.“Did you just say the wordspinkiepromise?”

“Is that too pedestrian for you?”

“It’s too sixth grade for me.”

Elle sighed. “Fine. Blood oath at midnight it is. Whatever worksfor you. The point here is that this campaign could be a really good thing forboth of us, if it’s done right.”

“Agreed. I want it to be just as tasteful as you do.”

“As tasteful as you dropping in on that wave?”

Gia smiled. It was a good barb. Points for Elle. “Something likethat.”

Elle pushed a fist into Gia’s shoulder as she walked away. “Trainhard. Just know I’m training harder.”

“Bet on it.” Wait. That came out wrong. “Bet that you’rewrong!” she calledlamely to Elle’s retreating form. Instead of turning back, she offered Gia awave of her fingers over her shoulder. Damn that woman. How did she always seemto come away with the upper hand? Gia blinked after Elle and watched as awaiter did a double take as she passed, his eyes zeroing in on her ass, her long,tanned legs. Gia shook her head at him, not at all noticing them herself.

Deep breath.

Not at all.

Sometimes she really hated herself.

* * *

Gia sat on a green cushioned couch in the outdoor seating area atSeven Shores while she looked over the Trainers paperwork Gwendolyn had sentover. It was late in the day, and the loss of the sun overhead left the airchilly. Gia didn’t mind. For whatever reason, the window from late afternoonuntil dusk was Gia’s favorite time of the day. It made her feel like somethingexciting lay in store as evening encroached.

The contract looked fine to her. In fact, it was a damn goodoffer, and with Gwendolyn’s stamp of approval, and her attorney’s, she wasready to sign. The i’s had all been dotted and the t’s had all been crossed.She tried not to think in depth about the fact that she would actually beworking on this campaign with Elle. At least she would be paid a hell of a lotof money to do it.

“Oh! Is that the chip contract?” Autumn asked, joining her. She’dtaken to working shorter days at Pajamas since the pregnancy and dropped herapron on the chair next to the one she’d plopped down in.

“Yeah, I guess we’re a go.”

“I have to buy them now.”

“No, you don’t.”