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“They’ll be busy writing stories about how you choked in the pairs. Of course, perhaps Frankie can save your butt, but the way you’ve been putting away the pasta today, you’ll probably cause the boat to sink.”
    That brought laughter from the team, which got louder when Frank added, “Hell—I think the rookie already has that distinction. Had any more gifts from the heavens, L.T.?”
    The team had started calling him L.T. in reference to his time as a Ranger. He never made a big deal of it, even though by calling him a lieutenant they were actually giving him a demotion. When he’d been injured, he’d been a captain. But the team nickname was growing on him.
    “I heard it wasn’t so much a gift as a pain in the…” Bert paused at just the right time then said, “middies.”
    “I saw what that babe looks like—that must have been the kind of pain that hurts so good,” Benny interrupted.
    Robert had always taken the “officer and gentleman” creed to heart, so he wasn’t one to kiss and tell. Though he wasn’t about to comment, he also couldn’t just laugh the incident off. If he left the party without a comeback, he’d be in for more razzing, or hurt feelings from his teammates. Not liking the indecision he was feeling, he decided to say anything to change the subject, but before he could, he felt her presence behind him.
    “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting,” she said. Her voice was steady but there was a blush on her soft skin that told him she had overheard the comments by his teammates. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her. He had nothing to feel ashamed about. He hadn’t been saying a word.
    “I took this shot of all of you after the heat was over this afternoon. It’s been requested by a lot of papers, but I thought you guys would like copies. I brought some prints over for y’all.”
    She slid the prints onto the table and Robert looked down at them. The rest of the crew each took one and for a moment there was total silence. It was a great shot, taken at the moment right after they’d crossed the finish line. Each face was stamped with elation, along with exhaustion and physical triumph. It was the moment when they’d each known they’d done their best and produced the results they’d worked long and sacrificed much to achieve. It was a picture that told the only story that mattered.
    “Ah, well…sorry about interrupting your party,” Annalisa said when silence greeted the pictures. She turned to leave. Robert heard Burt say, “I’ve never had anyone give me a print before.”
    “Shit, it’s a great shot. Look at us,” Benny added. “We’re a team.”
    Robert agreed, but he didn’t stay with his team. He went after Annalisa, who despite her short legs had made it all the way to the entrance of the cafe. By the time he caught up with her she was pulling open the door.
    “Wait a minute,” he said as he reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop.
    “Oh, hi.” She turned and looked at him. There was a small smile on her face but it didn’t reach her eyes. Robert could tell she was still very embarrassed. “I really didn’t mean to interrupt your party, I just thought your team members would like the picture.”
    “They did. I did,” Robert said.
    Her smile became a little more relaxed, but she still seemed uncomfortable. “Great. I guess I should have just left them at the media request window instead of delivering them personally,” she said. “I was headed back there after picking up these prints when I saw you all come in here. I didn’t think, just followed you.”
    Robert looked at her—really looked at her. How had he not noticed that her skin was like heated silk, while her eyes were clear, honest and as innocent as a child’s? He ran his finger down the side of her face, unable to resist the lure of touching her. When the skin blushed a charming pink, Robert felt himself falling deeper under her spell.
    After touching her