"Probably still cleaner than the Hudson," Pepper argued.

Despite the heavy rainfall, the blush on her cheeks that arose at the latter comment was obvious. There was, however, a smile to go along with it.

"I guess I don't train this much to not show off," she replied almost evenly. "Tell you what: you come out here, and if we can find someplace on the shell with a little privacy, I'll consider giving up a perfectly good opportunity to buy a cute swim suit."