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“That story is an inflated tabloid piece. Plus, Gia’s actually notso bad, it turns out. I mean, she’s not great, don’t get me wrong, but we had achance to talk at the shoot.” She thought back to their conversation in thecar.

Holly looked surprised. “Oh, yeah?”

“I think we came to an informal understanding. We’re differentpeople, and that’s not going to change. There will be no kumbaya session, butthe campaign should be fine. We’ll be able to work together easily enough, butthere’s no way she’s coming close to taking my ranking. By the end of theseason, I will be this year’s world champion. SurfNuggets should put that intheir pipe and smoke it.”

“I’m glad to hear you still have that fire, Wave Weasel. Keep it.Did you shame her for that late drop-in on your wave in the final?”

Elle grinned, remembering the party and their exchange. “In my ownway. She knows how I feel on the subject.”

“Well, prepare yourself for the world to start asking questionsabout your hatred for one another. I have a feeling the gossip is only going toget bigger after this write-up.”

Elle shook her head. “It’s all so stupid.”

“It is.” Holly nodded. “But I’ll need you to leave now.”

“What?” Elle froze the application of her lip gloss, mid-gloss.“You’re kicking me out?”

Holly ushered Elle to the door. “All that big hands talk got megoing, and Dash is on his way over.”

“You were secretly texting him while we talked? You were summoningyour booty call and planning my departure in tandem? What kind of person doesthat?”

“Me. It’s a skill I’m quite proud of.”

“You’re going to hell.”

“Tonight, I’m hoping for heaven. Now leave, so I can change intomy sexiest underwear and get some much-needed action. Something you should puton your to-do list at some point.”

“Meh. I’m good.”

“Honestly, Elle, if you got laid once in a great while, I thinkyou’d be much happier.”

Elle scoffed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I am happy.I’m at the peak of my career and enjoy what I do. Take in the noticeable smileon my face. My life is good.”

“Please. You’re status-quo happy. I’m talking off-the-chartshappy.”

Elle grumbled as she hit the sidewalk. “Yeah, well, I don’t haveyour sex drive, okay? Not sure what I can do about that. Just a part of life.”

“Maybe you just haven’t awakened it yet. Stirred that inner,naughty yearning. Food for thought. Now scram. I got yearnings of my ownhappening.”

Elle smiled at her friend and headed down the walk. She’d notbrought her car, since she and Holly lived close enough to walk easily to eachother’s homes, by design. It also allowed them quick access to the beach forimpromptu surf sessions. Surfing with her best friend reminded Elle how muchshe loved the sport. When it was just her and Holly out for a fun Saturday,catching waves, she lost herself in the day, in the sun, the recreational sideof an activity she’d forced firmly into the job category years ago. They neededto make a date to do just that soon. Elle needed it.

She checked her phone as she walked, daylight all but extinguished,finding an email from her manager, Kip.Didyou see the latest on you and Malone?

Elle laughed because she had seen the latest, and Kip wasoverreacting. There was nothing to talk about. The feud article would be fodderfor about ten minutes. Then the world would move on to the next new rumor. Sheclicked the link just because Kip had included it, and paused right there onthe curb.

This wasn’t the same story from SurfNuggets.

This was a piece fromSurfMagazine’s online arm, which came with much more clout. Way morepeople would stumble across this article. She scanned the words in front ofher, not quite believing what she was seeing. At the top of the page was a shotof her and Gia in Elle’s car, pulling out of the studio’s parking lot. Therewere a few more shots of them smiling, one of her looking rather adoringly atGia. How in the world had they managed these shots? She’d seen no one with acamera. The headline read “Canoodling Much?” and was followed by a shortparagraph under the photos. Elle read on, flabbergasted.

Spotted together in WestHollywood, Elle Britton and Gia Malone shed their tour rivalry for aflirtatious afternoon of fun. Sources close to the women say they’ve discovereda new appreciation for each other and are getting in lots of one-on-one time.Are we witnessing a burgeoning romance? How will this new pairing affect therace for the number one?

Beneath the article was that old photo of Gia watching Elle talkto reporters, the one that had received all the attention for Gia’s gaze, whichhad been totally misconstrued.

A romance? She scoffed, then scoffed again to be sure the universehad noticed her scoff. How ridiculous. If anything, they’d done their best toachieve civility. Elle had to laugh. How in the world had two opposing articleshit the internet on the exact same afternoon, both making claims about herrelationship with Gia Malone, of all people?

She called Kip, if for no other reason than to figure out anapproach to handle the attention that at this point could continue to grow,given the one-two punch.

“Thought I’d be hearing from you,” he said, upon answering. They’dworked together for years and could skip the polite greetings.