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“Nope. I had a girlfriend in my early twenties. We lived togetherfor four months and I started to think it was love. It wasn’t. It was more aboutconvenience for both of us.” She pointed to the blender. “No strawberries inmine.”

Katrina nodded, and tossed the extra strawberries into her ownpile. “Interesting glimpse into your sad little love life, Malone.”

“Hey!” Gia said, but was drowned out by the sound of the blenderroaring to life.

Moments later, the room returned to silence. Katrina studied her.“You know? Maybe this whole in-your-head thing is symptomatic of all aspects ofyour life, ever thought about it?”

“Of course. I think about everything, remember?”

Katrina laughed. “My bad. Maybe if you worked on thinking a littleless, feeling a little more, it would transfer to your surfing.”

Gia scrunched up her face. “Seems like a leap.”

“Well, consider that leap your homework assignment. Now c’mon.Let’s watch some film of you falling on your ass like an idiot and see if wecan’t find out why.”

Gia forced a smile. “My favorite pastime.”

* * *

“Tell me what’s about to take place here,” Jordan Tuscana asked.“And remember to direct your answer to me, not the camera.”

Elle nodded. She knew the drill. Jordan had been shooting adocumentary chronicling the lives of several of the female surfers on theChampionship Tour for the past two years now. As one of the subjects, Elleanswered questions for Jordan on occasion or allowed cameras to follow her hereor there. She was actually thrilled about the project and the attention itwould bring to the tour and the sport overall. Plus, Jordan was a fantasticdirector and made the process easy.

Elle smiled widely at Jordan as the camera rolled. “Today’s apretty standard junket, giving members of the press the opportunity to sit withathletes from the tour and ask whatever questions they have. We do these kindsof things between tournaments, and it’s a great way to talk to a variety ofmedia outlets all in one place. The downside? The afternoon always feelsridiculously long, and by the end of it, you’re sick of hearing your ownvoice.”

“Talk about what it’s like sitting alongside your competitors,”Jordan said from off camera.

Elle didn’t miss a beat. She liked this question. “I’m one of thesurfers who doesn’t mind sitting next to a competitor at a press event. Itgives me a chance to see them up close and personal for a change, and not juston their board. Call me calculating, but once you know more about them, it’sall the easier to take them down.” She beamed at Jordan, knowing she’d be ableto use that little nugget as a lead into the footage she’d get that day.

“Perfect,” Jordan said. “We’ll be shooting B-roll of the junketthroughout the afternoon, but I’ll find you if I need more.”

“I’ll be around,” Elle said. “And say hi to Molly for me. Thosetruffles you brought last time knocked me over. In a very good way.”

Jordan laughed. “I’ll be sure to tell her. I’m trying to get herto come out here with me next time. She needs some time off.”

“If she does, we’re going to dinner on me. I need to meet thischocolate wizard.”

“Well, now she definitely has to come. Free dinner.”

As Jordan departed, a young man, Andrew, took her place at Elle’sside. “Ms. Britton?”

“Elle, please.” She extended her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He shook her hand. “Likewise. I’m Andrew. I’ll be your escorttoday. I’m here if you need a break or some water. Just say the word.”

“Awesome. We’re gonna get along, Andrew. I can just feel it.”

He smiled and she knew she’d put him at ease, which was theultimate goal. “We’re going to get you set up in the Jefferson Room. They haveyou answering questions with Gia Malone today.”

She laughed. Oh, of course they did. These organizers were nofools. Not only were the two of them popping up in multiple, and conflicting,headlines together, Gia was rapidly rising in the rankings, and everyone wanteda piece of the rivalry. So be it. “Sounds good.” She spotted Gia speaking witha girl who was presumably the assistant assigned to her. “Excuse me a moment,Andrew. I’ll meet you in Jefferson in five. Sound okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She made her way through the groupings of people and arrived atGia’s elbow. “Can I steal you for a minute?” she said quietly.

Gia turned and met her eyes. “Oh. Hey. Yeah. Just…yeah.” Sheexcused herself to the assistant and followed Elle. Once they were a safedistance away and alone, Gia paused their progress. “What’s up?”

“We’re together today.”