“I was angry. And wrong,” I said. “And I’m sorry.”
She smiled, and my nerves smoothed out like a freshly rolled clay court after a rain delay.
“Can I get that in writing?” she joked.
I shook my head. “I don’t know exactly what is going through your head when you play, but you have this red haze that seems to descend. You lose your cool.”
“My parents call it youngest child syndrome,” Chloe joked, but I could see a hint of sadness behind her eyes. Like she knew it was something else entirely.
“Whatever it is,” I said cautiously, “that’s your biggest fault.”
“You did something the other day, while we played doubles. You talked me down.” Chloe lifted her shoulders in a shrug, as if confessing it was the easiest thing in the world. “Nobody has ever done that before.”
I refused to overthink her words. Maybe she hadn’t ever played with people who didn’t take her shit. “Did anyone ever tell you no growing up?”
“All the time. Ihatedit.” She grinned devilishly. “But that’s beside the point. Calvin saw what you did and he thinks you’re the answer.”
“And you? What do you think?” I dared to ask.
“Didn’t I make that clear already?” she said, her brows furrowed. “I agree. Usually, it’s only me and him. My family keep me pretty close, and I think I might need some socialization.”
“To say the least,” I joked sharply, before I heard my own tone, immediately backtracking. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” She waved my words away. “Either way, what does it matter ‘why’ anymore—you’re on board, right?”
“Yeah,” I said, surprising myself with the lack of hesitation. I cleared my throat. “Yes, I am.”
“And so am I.”
“So, we agree?” I said. “Do you want to write it down? Make the lawyers happy?”
She shrugged, her gaze on me. “I think I trust you enough for a handshake.”
“A handshake?” I said, incredulous. “Are you trying to give them a stroke?”
“Yes,” she replied immediately, pushing up to stand from her chair. “Good to do business with you, Ms. Costa.”
Chloe stuck out her hand, stretching halfway across the table that still separated us. I stared at her hand for a beat. Pale skin tanned to match mine, no doubt from hours of practice outside under the beating sun, a thin gold ring on one of her long fingers, which were complete with perfectly manicured nails.
I reached out, my hand sliding against hers. There was an unexpected softness to her skin, despite our calluses rubbing against each other as we shook.
And with three words, I sealed my fate. “Pleasure, Ms. Murphy.”
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HOT TO GO: Rival Duo Stun with Doubles Final!
In a shocking twist, on-court foes Inés Costa and Chloe Murphy joined forces during a charity tournament in the Hamptons. The duo appeared unexpectedly cordial during the trophy ceremony, a far cry from their notoriously fiery clashes, often sparked by Murphy’s infamous temper.
But what’s next for these (former?) rivals? Rumor has it the two are teaming up on their road to the US Open. Is this just gossip, or are we gearing up for more fireworks between these tennis titans? Stay tuned!
Second Set
20
Chloe
Snow Angel—Reneé Rapp
