Page 59 of Sparks Like Ours

“Do not break into song,” Isabel deadpanned.

“No promises,” Hadley said, and reached for another croissant. Sheheld it in the air. “I’m using these to cheer myself up. Work is not the picnicit once was.”

“What’s up?” Isabel asked.

“Trudy’s still not happy with the direction our current roster ofdesigners is taking. We’ve pulled in some new ones to shake up the store’simage a bit. We’re shooting for contemporary, with an edge. But not too edgy.It’s a fine line, and apparently, I’m not delivering. Gotta drum up some newtalent. Know anyone?”

Gia shrugged. “Fresh out of edgy-but-not-too-edgy designers.”

“Forget that woman. You’re awesome at your job,” Isabel said.“Every time I go in there it’s like I’m lost in a sea of amazing clothes I’mnot good enough for.”

“Hardly,” Hadley said.

Autumn pointed at the plate in the center of the table. “Andplease eat all of those croissants or I’m going to blow up like a pregnantMacy’s Thanksgiving Day balloon. Eating for three is feeling more like feedingan army.” She placed a hand on her growing stomach.

Gia smiled. “Enjoy it. You should be pampering yourself. Eat allthe baked goods.”

Autumn stared at her and helped herself to one more. “You’re adangerous person.”

“Let’s hope I’m as effective on a surfboard.” She stood. “Off totrain before I fall off the leaderboard entirely.” She pointed at Hadley. “Keepyour chin up.” She pointed at Isabel. “Write the hell out of that ex-CIAwoman.” She pointed at Autumn. “Keep making human beings.”

Three salutes came her way.

She spent the rest of the day taking her body to task. A run onthe beach, an intense ab workout, weight training, and a marathon surf sessionin which she put herself through the wringer, working through every skill sheknew. She wasn’t willing to let this opportunity slip through her fingers. Oncethe tournament concluded and the points were in, she’d held on to her numbertwo ranking, but barely. She needed to buckle down and focus on not justdefending her own position but moving up the board, which meant knocking Elledown. Refusing to let her personal life factor in would be key. When they wereon tour, Elle had to remain just another competitor in her eyes. Away from thewater was different. She could just be…Elle. Gia smiled at that version,picturing Elle, missing her. They hadn’t laid eyes on each other since Giadeparted the tournament the morning after she’d lost. They’d texted, chatted onthe phone into the night even, but it was the live and in person Elle that Giacraved.

She attached her board to the top of her car, gave herself a quickdust off, and hopped inside. As she started her engine, she glanced at herphone.

I’m outsideyour apartment, and you’re MIA.

She froze. The text was from Elle, but she wasn’t supposed to beback until that night. Energized once she realized the text came in onlyminutes before, she put the car in drive and quickly drove the short two blocksto Seven Shores. If she was fast enough, maybe she could…

“You’re here,” Elle said, beaming at her from one of the outdoorcouches. Gia didn’t hesitate. She pulled Elle into an embrace and held on, buryingher nose in Elle’s hair, taking her in.

“Why are you early?” she murmured, still not letting go.

Elle laughed. “I canceled the last round of interviews. They onlywanted to talk about one thing. Can you guess which?”

Gia released her, and searched her eyes. “Did you tell them to goto hell?” she asked, feeling extra protective.

“Not exactly my style. I told them when I was ready to talk aboutit, they would hear from me.” She squinted. “I tend to think the kiss stands onits own, though.”

“I guess that’s true. How areyoudoing with it all? The attention?” She didn’t allow herself to examine what itmight mean for her if Elle wasn’t doing okay. Underneath it all, she stillhadn’t entirely convinced herself that Elle knew what she was getting into orfelt confident in this new life decision. Maybe she’d change her mind and,after trying it on, would realize this wasn’t who she was after all. One of thereasons Gia had suggested moving slow. Self-preservation was important. Giadidn’t put herself out there easily, and she was starting to do just that.

But Elle didn’t look reluctant. In fact, she was luminous, glowingeven. “I’m better now,” she said, touching Gia’s cheek softly. “I’ve justwanted to see you is all. Not saying it wasn’t a roller coaster of a week.”

“I can imagine.”

“Did you just come out of the water?” Elle asked, her eyes dippingto Gia’s bathing suit top.

Gia nodded. “Trying to keep up with you.” She glanced at thestairs to her apartment. “Coming in? I have to shower.”

The idea seemed to intrigue Elle. “Definitely. I need to see thisplace for myself at long last.”

Gia sighed. “Okay. Not as fluffy and put together as yours. Fairwarning.”

“Bracing myself.”

Gia’s nerves hit as she led Elle to her second-floor apartment andlet them inside. Her place would definitely not live up to Elle’s. She surveyedthe space now, seeing it how Elle might. She quickly dashed about the livingroom, straightening odds and ends, grabbing the sweatshirt (damn it) she’d lefton the couch and tossing it into her bedroom.

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