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Gia met Taylor’s gaze and nodded once in appreciation. “Thank you,Taylor. I won’t.” She addressed her friends. “No biggie. Elle’s a better personthan I thought originally. Not a bad discovery.”

“Not at all,” Kate said, with a smile of support. She could alwayscount on Kate, who never overreacted—probably a skill that helped her whenfighting fires.

“I’m just bummed we’re losing you to the road again soon,” Autumnsaid. “How long this time?”

“About eight days,” Gia told her. “I’ll get there in advance of myfirst heat, and we’ll take it from there. If I’m knocked out early, which Iwon’t be, I’ll be home even sooner.”

Isabel raised her beer. “Here’s to not getting knocked out early.”

“And to the tiny boy and adorable little girl we’re going to meetsoon,” Hadley added.

Gia thought on the week ahead with a mixture of enthusiasm andtrepidation. She needed to win this tournament in order to strengthen herranking and take down the one person who could get in the way of a head-to-headbattle with Elle: Lindy Ives, the powerhouse from Australia who was hot onGia’s heels. She was ready to go hard and land the points she needed.

Beyond surfing, it hadn’t eluded her that the Swatch Pro wouldafford her the opportunity to see Elle again, and God, did she want to. Buthonestly? She wasn’t sure she could wait that long. She felt uneasy with theway they’d left things, and that night at Elle’s house was never far from hermind, her daydreams, her…fantasies. Had the kiss been a fluke, as amazing as itwas? Quite possibly.

But then again, maybe not, and she had to explore that option.Every part of her wanted to. She understood that with no call, no text, no wordfrom Elle at all, maybe she didn’t want to see Gia.

But it was a risk she was willing to assume.

“Another beer, Gia-Pet?” Autumn asked.

“You know, I think I might head out. I have an errand to run.”

“Must be important for a Friday night.”

Gia nodded. “Yeah, it really can’t wait.”

* * *

“I don’t think you properly appreciate the music,” Christophersaid to Elle as they turned the corner into her neighborhood. They’d hit up thelittle jazz place, the one that had snagged all the rave reviews, only to findthat they were at complete odds over the music.

“I love jazz,” Elle explained. “But that music tonight had noidentifiable melody. It was a series of random notes. I couldn’t get into it.”

He shook his head. “I think you’re missing the point. Jazz issupposed to be unpredictable.”

“Then call me crazy, but it wastoojazzy. I need beginner’s jazz. That was advanced placement.”

“Who’s that?” Christopher asked, ducking his head and peeringthrough the windshield as they approached Elle’s house.

She followed his gaze and her breath caught. Seconds later, asmile took shape on her lips. Sitting on her curb, headphones in her ears, satGia in jeans and cozy blue hoodie. A chill moved through Elle and she shimmiedagainst it. “That’s Gia.”

He nodded. “Her photos don’t do her justice.”

Elle sighed, knowing that was the damn truth. “She a knockout,isn’t she?”

“I see why you’re dreaming about her.” He reached for the doorhandle. “I’m gonna say hello.”

She froze. “Do not say anything embarrassing. Or that I don’tunderstand jazz.”

He balked. “I’m a gentleman.”

As the car pulled into the driveway, Gia stood and pulled theheadphones from her ears. She smiled tentatively as they exited the car. Ellehad wondered how she’d feel when she saw Gia again. If she’d get the samebutterflies, if she’d be happy to see her or awkwardly trying to find herfooting after that kiss. But once her eyes landed on Gia’s chocolate brownones, any worry she had flew straight out the window. Her heart thudded out ofhappiness, not concern.

“Hey,” Gia said as she approached the car. “You weren’t home, so Ithought I’d wait a little while. See if I could catch you.” She turned to Christopher.“Hey. Gia Malone.”

“Christopher VanCamp. Elle’s date tonight.”

Gia’s eyebrows rose and Elle passed Christopher a pointed look.