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To Gia’s surprise, the self-assured smile slid right off Elle’slips. “I mean, I don’t think so.” A pause as her gaze hit the tablecloth. “Idon’t know. What if I did?”

Gia laughed it off, and took another sip of her wine. Ellelaughed, too, and they both seemed to do their damnedest to downplay theexchange as nothing but lighthearted banter. But there was a weighted chargebetween them now that was new and as intoxicating as the wine. The comment feltso far out of left field that Gia didn’t know which end was up. She was nowhaving impure thoughts about Elle Britton, who in turn kept dropping hints of apossible attraction of her own, all because of a random sex dream? How in theworld did they get here? Gia wasn’t sure, but she gestured for the check anddistantly blamed Isabel. She needed some air, some space, and maybe a therapysession with Hadley, because this whole thing felt catastrophic and thrilling.She couldn’t decide which. It was both. It was everything. And the room had waytoo little air.

“Thanks for inviting me,” Gia said, once the waiter returned withher credit card. “I should probably get home. I’m meeting Katrina earlytomorrow for a workout.”

“You’re lucky you scored her.”

Gia nodded. “You don’t have to tell me. She knows our world andwhat it takes to survive the big waves.”

“My guy, Bruce, is great, but I grew up hero-worshipping Katrina.I had her poster in my room.”

“That makes two of us.”

“Oh yeah? Did you demand your mother find you those exact sameboard shorts? The ones with the green and the—”

“Yellow vertical stripes. I hounded her daily. I also taped herfinals heats with an actual VCR.”

Elle pointed at her. “I still have my tapes.”

“Shut up. Truly?”

“I do. I couldn’t throw them away if I wanted to. Did you try andspike your hair like hers?”

“I tried, and failed miserably.”

“Same.”

They stood at the entrance of the restaurant, waiting for ridesand grinning at the unexpected common ground. It’d been a while since Gia hadmet someone who understood how great Katrina was. Is. “You’re a cooler girlthan I thought, Elle.” She held up a hand. “And don’t let that go too far toyour head. I might deny saying so tomorrow.”

“Or maybe you won’t.”

A moment passed between them, and Gia softened. “Or maybe Iwon’t.”

Elle laughed and turned to face the street, the wind lifting theloose strands of blond around her face that had somehow escaped the braid. Giafelt like she’d seen behind the curtain tonight, to a version of Elle shehadn’t realized existed. But then again, maybe she hadn’t wanted to know. Untilnow.

Elle’s car arrived first, and she turned to Gia. “Thank you fortonight. I had a great time getting to know more about the infamous GiaMalone.”

“Next time, I choose the place.”

Elle took a step in, a close one, and Gia felt it all over.“There’ll be a next time?”

“Yeah. Why not?” Gia asked.

“You’re asking me?” She shook her head, and her tongue briefly wether bottom lip.

Gia’s stomach took a wonderful dip.

“I see no reason at all.”

Elle slipped into the back seat and Gia stared through the windowat her silhouette. The car pulled slowly from the curb and disappeared into thenight, right along with everything Gia thought she knew about the world. Whatwas she supposed to do with that glimpse of flirtation and this newfoundattraction to someone she didn’t even like a month ago? Gia raised her hand toher forehead. She needed an Advil and a sounding board, because her head was poundingwith problems.

Chapter Eight

Something was up with Christopher.

He’d been quiet since they’d sat down for coffee at the quaintlittle garden table he’d selected for them at the outdoor café. Elle wasconsistently impressed with his ability to seek out the beautiful spots in theworld. Now, if only he seemed to be enjoying their surroundings as much as shewas.

“Hey, goober. You’re not saying much.”