“Fine. There was the Trainers campaign, and the sex dream, and now I’m in this weird place with Elle where I notice her physically, and actually like her, and then the surfing just…sucks. All of it, your fault.”
“Riiiight,” Isabel said. “That makes a hundred percent sense. All my doing. No one would question that logic.”
Gia glared at her. “Don’t argue with me when I’m down. Don’t you do it.”
“Who’s arguing? I’m a fucking support system of awesome, worried for your mental well-being. I’m also feeling intrigued and hopeful about your new extracurricular life. Want to talk about it?”
“With you? Not a chance.” A pause. Gia dropped the ire from her voice. “I’m waiting for Had.”
“The wide-eyed Cinderella of Seven Shores? I’m the one actually in a relationship. You realize that, right? I’m fully capable here. In fact, the most capable.”
“Ahem,” Autumn said from behind the counter, indicating she’d been eavesdropping on every word. Her capacity to hear each conversation in the coffee shop was a mystery Gia had yet to crack. Like when your mom just intuitively knew you’d skipped school. That was Autumn, every damn time.
“Oh! Autumn, who is happily married, can also help,” Isabel said in a loud voice. “She’s every bit a pro.”
Gia stood. “Thanks, guys, but I’m going to wait.”
“Unbelievable,” Isabel called to Gia’s retreating form. “Is this some sort of single person solidarity? I’m feeling rightfully offended.”
“What you should feel is guilty as hell,” Gia said, whirling on her. “All. Your. Fault. You and your stupid sparks.”
Isabel seemed to suppress a smile, which only angered Gia further. “See, you never have fully explained what it is I did wrong, but if something I said helped you along your path to love, or even a little temporary lust, then I will accept your anger in worthy sacrifice to the cause.”
Gia heard Autumn chuckle quietly from behind the counter. She glanced from one of them to the other. “You two are awful people who deserve each other’s friendship.”
Isabel blew her a loud kiss and Autumn followed suit. She would forgive them both in around ten minutes. For now, it felt really good to focus her anger. She stomped down the sidewalk to Seven Shores and took in the empty courtyard. Hadley was working the afternoon to evening shift at Silhouette, and if she was quick, maybe she could catch her before she left for work. Hadley would understand. She’d help her figure this out.
“My dear goodness. Sounds like things have escalated,” Hadley said from in front of her dressing table fifteen minutes later. She stared at Gia through the mirror as she transformed into the sophisticated version of herself suited for the posh boutique on Rodeo Drive. A little blush, a little mascara, and an updo, and Hadley went from endearing to impressive.
“I don’t know that I’d say escalated,” Gia offered, as nonchalantly as possible. “But the whole Elle thing has me wigged out and distracted. It’s starting to affect my surfing, and that can’t happen. You get me?”
Hadley swiveled on her stool and faced Gia, who sat on the sage comforter atop Hadley’s bed. “You realize that this is the same Elle Britton that you’ve seethed over for the past several years, who you’ve made me despise right alongside you. While it was fun to tease you about the chemistry and all, I never actually thought anything real would come of it. This has taken a turn, I say. A turn. Hand me the hairspray. I’m short on time.”
Gia passed Hadley the bottle. “Nothing will come of it. It’s just a blip.”
Hadley deflated. “Why is that? Why are you so quick to decide?” She sprayed her hair and surveyed the results in the mirror.
“It’s impractical.” Gia stood because she was far too fired up not to. “It’s a phase. I’m sure I’ll be back to hating her next week, and the attraction will be gone.”
“You’re gesturing a lot.”
“So?”
“It’s what you do when something is really bothering you. Tells me this is major. And so what if the attraction fades? If it fizzles, it fizzles. Can’t hurt to enjoy it a little in the meantime.”
That last sentence snagged her attention. She didn’t allow much time to enjoy things. There was surfing, which was her main focus, her job. For fun, she really just turned to her friends and maybe retro video games. But that was about it, all she allowed herself time for. Can’t hurt to enjoy it a little. She nodded, finding the parallel to the homework Katrina had given her. “I guess that’s not horrible advice.”
“Of course it’s not horrible advice,” Hadley said, standing and crushing Gia’s face into her stomach in a commanding hug. “It’s from me.”
“Ow. You’re smashing my face.”
“You love me.” Hadley released her and went in search of her bag with Gia hot on her heels, not quite finished with the discussion.
“Katrina says I get in my own head too much.”
“You do. So maybe don’t overthink as far as Elle is concerned. Follow”—she smiled—“other parts of you.”
Gia sighed. “I thought for sure you’d understand. Tell me to proceed with caution.”
“I do understand. But it is my sincere hope that you allow yourself to be open and receptive to the ways of love.”
She shook her head. “Only you would say a lame sentence like that.”
“Make fun of me all you want, but I’m not the one daydreaming about my number one rival without any clothes on. Don’t deny it either. I know you.”
“You and Izzy and Autumn are ridiculous, you know that?”
Hadley ushered them out of the apartment. “You’re probably right. We’re the ridiculous ones. Call me later. I’m off to take the design world by storm.” Hadley sashayed to the top of the outdoors stairs and struck a pose.
Gia squinted in confusion. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to make an exit. Did it work?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, tomorrow is another day. Be good, Gia, and by good, I mean carefree.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Gia stood on the outdoor walkway in front of Hadley’s apartment and walked the few steps to the door to her own. She could see the ocean over the top of the complex across from her. She watched the waves a moment, a trick that had always calmed her in the past and set her at peace. It wasn’t working. She took out her phone and did something even she couldn’t fathom: she texted Elle.
Training today? It was doubtful she’d get a reply. She wasn’t even sure why’d she done it, other than the fact that she was restless and out of sorts and couldn’t help herself, flashing on the good time they’d had at dinner. She turned to enter her apartment when her phone chimed. Whoa. Her heart sped up and she clenched one fist before glancing at the readout.
Morning session complete. What are you up to?
Panic hit and her mind raced. Not sure what to do, she moved to the railing, then away from it again, and then back. She was tempted to toss the phone over the balcony, the stupid device! What the hell was she supposed to do now? Finally, she took a seat on the top of the stairs and typed a response.
Wanna join forces this afternoon? She hit Send before logic could interfere.
Elle’s response was faster this time. Well, that could make for an interesting workout.
The blush hit and although no one was around to see it, the mortification followed anyway. Gia didn’t casually blush. She was an athlete, and a stoic one at that. She stomped on feelings, ate them for breakfast, and pushed forward to the win at every turn. Who was this new chick taking residence in her body? She started to type that she’d only been kidding when a second message from Elle hit.
Come to Hermosa Beach. My turf. 3 pm.
Deep breath. Don’t think. She typed, You’re on.
This could get interesting.
Chapter Nine
After lunch and a short rest for her muscles, Gia did some stretches, put on a sky-blue bikini top and board shorts, hopped in her Je
ep, and headed for South Bay, home of Hermosa Beach. The twelve-mile drive took close to half an hour in traffic, giving her plenty of time to second-guess what was probably a horrible idea. Who trained with their competition? No one did, because it was stupid. Something else was driving her, and it had little to do with surfing. Don’t think. Don’t overanalyze. But she knew exactly what it was. She craved time with Elle. Craved being in her presence, staring at her, talking to her. It was becoming all too familiar, that want, and it came with a power like nothing she’d ever experienced.
In fact, she was beginning to wonder if she could fight it if she tried.
Elle’s directions were perfect, and when she arrived, Gia found her on a stretch of quiet beach. Some dudes tossed a football down the shore. A couple walked their schnauzer. Meanwhile, music blared from a radio propped up in the sand (something current and poppy that you’d hear on the radio) as Elle did lower abdominal crunches on an exercise mat in her red sports bikini. Gia blinked at the skin on display. She’d seen it all before, a million times. Yet things seemed very different now. She swallowed back the desire that enveloped her.
“What’s up, Two?” Elle asked, not so much as pausing her crunches. At least she offered a bright smile.
Gia stared down at Elle. “If that’s my cue to call you One, it’s not gonna happen.”
Elle sat up and draped her forearms across her knees. The sun caught her eyes just perfectly, highlighting the light blue. She had a thin sheen of perspiration on her forehead, and her smile, as always, could light up even the darkest of rooms. She met Gia’s gaze. “I’m willing to let you call me whatever you want. Within reason. Count for me?”
Gia grinned and took her spot at Elle’s feet as Beyoncé empowered them both from the radio in the sand. She began counting off the crunches. “Two, four, six, eight, ten.” Every time Elle raised up, her gaze met Gia’s and held for a fleeting moment. “Twenty-two, twenty-four, twenty-six.” Her first instinct was to look away, to deflect, or make a joke. But, no, not this time. She held on, relishing the way their locked eyes made her feel. She felt connected to Elle and loved every second of it. When they hit a hundred, Gia took charge. “Sit-ups. Fifty.”
“You’re a demanding trainer. You sure you want me in tip-top shape? Could be consequences. Swatch Pro is just under a week away.”
“Yeah, well, I happen to know how good your competition is, so I think we’re okay.” They traded off counting for each other, and as they worked out under the hot sun, Gia felt herself relax more and more and truly relish the afternoon and how much fun the two of them were having together. Competition banter and all.
They decided to end with a run along the beach before hitting the waves. She allowed Elle to set their pace, and it wasn’t an easy one. “Are you showing off?” she asked.
“Maybe a little.” They ran on, and Elle tossed her a glance. “I’m glad you came by. Got my ass moving more than I have all week.”
“Same. Maybe we should have been training alongside our competitors this whole time.”
“Well, the pretty ones at least.” Elle pulled ahead and Gia turned up the gas, hot on her heels with a broad smile on her face. The exertion, the endorphins, or maybe the fact that she didn’t have to look Elle in the eye had Gia feeling lighthearted and courageous.
“Are you flirting with me?” she asked.
A pause. “Maybe.”
Maybe. Wow. Gia wasn’t inventing things. And if Elle was flirting, what exactly would all of that mean? Did it change anything for Gia? Would she suddenly want to pursue Elle Britton officially? Sounded like a dumb idea in the larger scheme of things, but for a minute she allowed herself to enjoy the unravel. The idea.
“Were you flirting with me at the restaurant the other night?” Elle asked. Her tone was playful, but Gia saw through it. Maybe Elle was just as intrigued by their newfound dynamic as Gia was.
What the hell. She decided to go for it. “Yeah, I’d say I was. Just in fun, though.”
“Okay. Good to know.”
They ran on as the sun continued its descent in the sky and the waves rolled in not far from their feet. The sound of the water and distant seagulls served as their soundtrack while they each seemed to retreat to the quietness of their own thoughts.
“What about you?” Gia asked. “Were you flirting with me at the restaurant the other night?”
“I think so.”
Another pause, as Gia processed this. She’d guessed as much, but hearing it out loud was something else entirely. It also brought up a lot of questions. “But you’re straight.” The words had tumbled from her mouth. Unfortunately, Gia didn’t come with a ton of finesse and pretty much just said things as they occurred to her. Hearing that sentence out loud, however, had her wishing she had employed some of Hadley’s sensitivity.
Elle stopped running, which also brought Gia to a stop. She placed her hands on her hips and took a moment as her breathing slowed. She stared at Gia. “I never said that.”
“Oh.” Gia didn’t know what to say to that, but she had to say something. She stared briefly at a seagull splashing in the surf. “I just thought so, because you’ve always dated men.”
“Well, everyone’s straight until they’re not, right?”
Elle ran on, leaving Gia staring after her, shocked, encouraged, and shocked again. She caught up and they ran for another ten minutes with only the sounds of the beach accompanying them.
“You should stick around after we surf. We can have some food.” A pause. “I should have just said we can have dinner. That would have been better.”
Gia laughed. “Either works for me. I’m pretty simple that way.”
“Are you, though?” Elle asked, which made Gia stop and think. She’d always considered herself a fairly what-you-see-is-what-you-get person.
“I think so, yeah. My needs are basic. Food, waves, and friends.”
“And nothing else?”
God, why did Elle have to say that? Because now Gia had that low pull in her stomach and thought acutely of other needs. “There’s more. Those are just my generals.”
Elle nodded, and they reversed their direction, heading back up the shoreline toward where they’d begun. “I guess I’ve just been giving the subject a lot of thought lately. The something else.”
“And?”
“It has me intrigued, and thoughtful, and examining my life in the most unexpected of ways.”
Aha. Now they were getting somewhere. “Like flirting with women?”
“Yeah, I guess that’s part of it.” The thing about having a conversation in the midst of a run was you didn’t have to look the other person in the eye. Somehow that helped grease the wheels.
“Any idea what brought this on?”
She could see Elle nodding out of the corner of her eye. “I think it was you. The dream and then us spending time together. We click way more than I ever would have predicted. I think about you sometimes now. I don’t know.” A pause. “We should surf.”
Must have been some dream. She’d give anything to have experienced it firsthand.
As they swam out to the larger swells, Elle in front and Gia trailing behind her, it felt as though they were heading toward something bigger, something inevitable that had nothing to do with waves. While Gia felt terrified, unsure, and adrift, she also couldn’t pull them off the track they were on now if she tried. This thing between them was like a runaway boulder, and all she could do was get herself out of the damn way.
They surfed together but not. Gia would take a wave, ride it in, as Elle did the same. They also didn’t communicate much out there on the water, other than a few encouraging calls.
But they did notice each other.
Wherever Elle was, Gia was aware. She watched her form, her speed, her power, and flow. Beyond those things, she watched Elle. The look on her face as she drove hard to the pocket. She pulled her bottom lip in, and her right eyebrow dipped down in concentration. The swells were small for what they we
re used to on tour, allowing Elle to stay upright, tackling one wave after another like the pro that she was. But these were beach breaks they were surfing, waves moving over shifting sand, each one a little different from the next—which kept things interesting. But that wasn’t all that was interesting. Gia felt Elle’s eyes on her, too, moving across her skin, watching her technique, her body, making the whole experience take on an…erotic undertone.
They surfed until late in the day when their energy ran dry and their hunger took over. As they paddled their way back to the shore, Elle looked over at Gia. “I will admit, I didn’t know what it would be like surfing with you outside of a competition.”
Gia smiled. “And?”
“I’m surprised how much I enjoyed it. It wasn’t nearly as stressful as I imagined.”
She laughed, not sure if that was a compliment or not. “I had fun, too. Not going on record or anything, but maybe you’re a great surfer.” Gia never in a million years would imagine those words coming from her lips just three months ago, but she wanted Elle to know that about herself.
“Yeah, well, you happen to be good at it, as well.”
Gia turned to Elle, her mouth hanging open in shock. “Really? Good? You’re going with good? I gave you great.”
“Fine. Maybe you’re better than good. But we’re still off the record.”
“Thank you.”
They hit the shore and dragged their boards in. Elle glanced back out at the water. “Did you see the clean walls out there? I was loving it. Just big enough.”
“I could tell, wave hog. You were all over them.”
“Says the final heat interloper.”
Gia shook her head. “You’re never going to let that one go, are you?”
“Would you?”
“No,” Gia said automatically. They laughed at her candor. “You gotta do what you gotta do.”
“All in the name of surfing. Hungry yet?”
“Starving.”
“Thought so. Follow me.” Elle didn’t live far from their spot on the beach. She led Gia down a windy path to the back of a one-story blue house, where they deposited their boards and bags just beyond a wooden gate that came to Gia’s waist.
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