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“Oh, well, if Elle Britton thinks so, then I’m golden.”

“Shut up and get in the car.”

They drove in silence for a while, listening to the classic rockstation. Gia stared out the window. Elle focused on the road. They’d neverreally been left together for too long on their own. Now what? Elle wasn’t thetype to sit in silence for extended periods, especially when it felt awkward.In fact, she couldn’t stand it. Her social compass was screaming at her.Minutes passed. Still no one said anything. She felt like she might explode,and then did.

“I have a date tonight.”

Gia turned to her. “Oh yeah?”

“I don’t know why I’m telling you this. You hate me,” Elle said,shaking her head at the personal direction of her comment. Why couldn’t shehave said something about surfing or groceries or the weather, for God’s sake?Her mouth had a mind of its own.

“I don’t hate you.”

“You do, too. In fact, you’ve gone well out of your way for yearsnow to be sure I know it.” She cringed again. Why was she making their car ridea therapy session? She had excellent people skills. Why were they failing herwhere Gia was concerned?

Gia seemed to soften. “For the record, we’re just differentpeople. You’re perky and peppy and love the media. I just want to surf andleave it at that.”

“So you’re saying we don’t speak the same language?”

Gia shrugged. “I guess that’s probably a big part of it.”

A long silence. “It’s not a crime to be upbeat.”

“I guess not.” Gia seemed to consider the comment further. “Butyou can’t tell me you’re feeling ‘on’ all the time. Some of that ismanufactured, right? It has to be. The smiles, the toss of your hair, theendless hugs to everyone you see.”

“Okay,” Elle said, nodding. “So now we’re getting somewhere. Youthink I’m fake.”

“I didn’t use that word.”

“But you wanted to.”

“Maybe a little.”

“Well, don’t hold back.” They were really going at each other now,and it felt quite satisfying.

Gia sighed, decelerating their exchange. “Look, it’s likely we’regoing to be tossed together a lot because of this campaign, so maybe we shouldfind a way to—”

“Get along.”

“Not kill each other,” Gia said simultaneously.

They smiled at their different approaches, a common ground moment.

“Deal,” Elle said finally.

Gia nodded. Another silent stretch hit. In a plot twist she wasnot expecting, Gia saved them this time. “Who’s the guy?”

Elle passed her a glance as she exited for Venice. “What guy?”

“Your date. You mentioned having one tonight.”

“Oh, right!” Elle smiled. “His name is Christopher. We’ve gone outtwice before. I like him. I think.”

“Does he surf?”

“He does not. He’s in finance.” Out of the corner of her eye, she sawGia wince. “But not boring finance. Exciting stuff. He’s smart.”

“And hot?”